'Super challenge' awaits Sixers in United fight

Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis says playing Melbourne United at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night is a ‘super challenge’.

The 36ers, who have pushed the NBL24 league leaders twice so far this season, will be celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the 1998/99 championship and Ninnis expects his side to win.

“We have played well against them twice this year, we haven’t got the results we wanted,” Ninnis said.

“We should go in positive about playing them.

“They are the best team in the competition, that’s a great challenge.

“We are at home, we expect to win, we don’t underestimate the enormity of it but we expect to come in, play our style of game and beat them.”

With a majority of the 1998/99 side in town for the celebration, Ninnis, who was an assistant coach for that title-winning side, has invited several of the teammates into practice this week.

“I’ve made a point of bringing them in (this week) and introducing them to those guys,” Ninnis said.

“When you look up and you see those banners and you see the names up there, now you can put a face to a name.

“To meet a Darnell Mee and a David Stiff and a Rupert Sapwell, it should touch a nerve.”

Adelaide will battle Melbourne United from 7.30pm at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.

Adelaide will face a United side who rebounded from a New Year’s Eve loss to the Taipans in Cairns with a 101-85 success against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night.

United head coach Dean Vickerman said power forward Luke Travers, who missed the win against the Kings with an ankle concern, is a chance to return against the 36ers.

“He was all clear on the scans and x-rays but he’s pretty sore,” Vickerman said.

“We felt like if there was an opportunity that he was needed tonight (Thursday), he possibly could have helped us.

“We think he is a chance to play in Adelaide.”

READ MORE

• HISTORY REPEATS - Part I - Summer Vibes
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part II - Playoff campaign begins with sweep
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part III - Titanic battle to title win
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part IV - Title town on world stage
• Mee happy to be 'home' in Adelaide
• Club legends thrilled with '99 jersey

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs MELBOURNE UNITED
Adelaide Entertainment Cente, Saturday 7.30pm ACDT

OVERALL
Played 40, Adelaide 12, Melbourne 28

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Dec 16, 2023 – United 107 def 36ers 96 at John Cain Arena
Oct 1, 2023 – United 82 def 36ers 74 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Feb 5, 2023 – United 116 def 36ers 107 at John Cain Arena
Jan 21, 2023 – United 94 def 36ers 87 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Nov 17, 2022 – 36ers 91 def United 86 at John Cain Arena

LIKELY STARTERS
Adelaide: Trey Kell, DJ Vasiljevic, Trentyn FLowers, Jacob Wiley, Isaac Humphries
Melbourne: Shea Ili,Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Kyle Bowen, Jo Lual-Acuil

STATS THAT MATTER
- Melbourne holds an 11-1 record when allowing fewer than 90 points this season.
- In NBL24, over 20 per cent of Adelaide's scoring has come from the free-throw line - highest in the league.
- Chris Goulding has hit 3+ three-pointers in 11 consecutive appearances - longest active streak in NBL
- Mitch McCarron is 2 three-pointers awy from 200 in the NBL
- Melbourne has won the past four games against the 36ers
- Adelaide has lost the first half in 14 of its past 16 games.