Sixers ready for another shot at United

There is no greater challenge in the NBL right now than playing the competition leaders on their home court and that’s what Adelaide faces against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena this Sunday.

United currently top the NBL25 standings with a 9-4 record and fresh off two big wins last round against Brisbane Bullets and Perth Wildcats.

Adelaide has already visited John Cain Arena once this season and fell 106-79 to United and will be keen for another shot at the league leaders.

After last Sunday afternoon’s 93-79 win against Illawarra Hawks at the Entertainment Centre, the 36ers will attack the Melbourne showdown fresh after a seven-day break. 

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THE KEY
Coming off a season-high 46 points last round against Perth Wildcats, Chris Goulding again showed why he is arguably the best scorer in the NBL.

Goulding torched the Wildcats in a third quarter frenzy, scoring 22 points in four minutes to completely change the game.

The Tokyo 2021 Olympic bronze medalist swished nine three-pointers, but also attacked the hoop and has the ability to finish through contact inside the paint.

Expect Sunday Dech to get the first assignment on Goulding to try and limit his impact, the United sharpshooter will also be marked by Nick Marshall and DJ Vasiljevic. 

THE SECRET
The battle of the frontcourt will be intriguing with Melbourne boasting NBL24 championship-winner Marcus Lee and Kiwi centre Rob Loe.

Loe was on target last round, swishing a career-best 30 points, including six three-pointers, in United’s win against the Bullets in Brisbane.

Across 194 NBL games. Loe has averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per night, but has the ability to be a genuine match-winner and had 16 points and six rebounds in United’s win against Adelaide last month.

Lee is a great rim protector and will share the minutes at the centre spot with Loe, with United head coach also going with the small ball line-up with Kyle Bowen playing the five spot, but Melbourne will miss the services of Jack White (calf).

DEPTH CHART
Ili / Cameron / Blogg
Dellavedova / Clark
Goulding / Krebs
Bowen / Koppens
Loe / Lee / Aliir

FINAL WORD
Adelaide will be keen to have another shot at United on their home court and Sunday’s clash is the perfect opportunity to make a statement.

The added intensity at the defensive end was evident last round, holding the high-scoring Hawks to just 79 points, and that will be required again against a high octane United offense.

Adelaide will also need to find more avenues to the basket, with United expected to play full court defence for the full 40 minutes, especially with backcourt pair Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili looking to blanket the influence of Kendric Davis.

The 36ers went toe-to-toe with United in Round 4 for the opening half, but Adelaide needs a full 40 minute performance to go into the FIBA break on the winners’ list.