Vasiljevic says 36ers must continue to rise

Adelaide 36ers captain DJ Vasiljevic said his side has to build on last Monday night’s road win in Sydney when Melbourne United visit the Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

Vasiljevic said he was proud with the way the team responded against the Kings, with an increased intensity at both ends of the floor in the 111-96 success.

“We came out desperate last game, and we got to continue this going into the New Year,” Vasiljevic said.

“We need to find an identity defensively. We can have all the Xs and Os, but if we don’t come desperate, what’s the point of writing everything on the board.

“We came out hungry and we set the tone.”

READ MORE

• Statement Jerseys to make home debut
• COACHES CORNER: Wells excited at New Year possibilities 
• TEAM SCOUT: 36ers primed to limit United scoring threat
• PRESS CALL: Wells thrilled with 36ers' response on the road
• MATCH WRAP: Awesome foursome as 36ers take down Kings

Vasiljevic expects the home fans to be extra loud with United coming to Adelaide for the first time since the on-court incidents at John Cain Arena on November 17 which led to suspensions of Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis.

“It will be packed out, it will be very hostile, and it will be exciting,” Vasiljevic said.

“It’s great for the league, it’s going to be prime time, so let’s jump ball and play.

“It’s a revenge game for us, we know what they did to us last time.”

Vasiljevic said the side has put in place expectations within the group at a meeting before the win against the Kings, which will benefit the group moving forward.

“There are no issues, it’s just let’s simplify the game plan and play hungry basketball,” Vasiljevic said.

 “Everyone has bought in, from the myself, the players, the staff, management, we are all in this together.

“There is still a chance (for the playoffs) and it can be done, I’ve done it before in Sydney when we won the first championship.

“We will stick together and keep moving forward.”

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs MELBOURNE UNITED
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Saturday 5pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports

OVERALL
Played 43, Adelaide 13, Melbourne 30

LIKELY STARTERS
36ers: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Lat Mayen, Montrezl Harrell, Isaac Humphries.
United: Shea Ili, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Jack White, Rob Loe.

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Nov 17, 2024 – United 113 def 36ers 93 at John Cain Arena
Oct 13, 2024 – United 106 def 36ers 79 at John Cain Arena
Jan 6, 2024 – 36ers 100 def United 96 at AEC
Dec 16, 2023 – United 107 def 36ers 96 at John Cain Arena
Oct 1, 2023 – United 82 def 36ers 74 at AEC

STATS THAT MATTER
- Adelaide has lost the third quarter in each of its last five home games.
- The 36ers have lost four of its past five home games.
- Adelaide ranks 1st for free throws made per game this season (18.0).
- Kendric Davis has scored 15+ points in 15 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Montrezl Harrell ranks 2nd for points in the paint per game (12.3) this season.
- Kendric Davis recorded an equal-career-high 11 assists in his last outing against Melbourne.
- Isaac Humphries ranks 3rd for blocks per game (1.1) this season.
- Kendric Davis has recorded 5+ assists in 11 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
- DJ Vasiljevic ranks 4th for three-pointers made per game (2.7) this season.
- 19.6% of Adelaide's scoring has come from the free-throw line - highest in the league.
- Kendric Davis ranks 1st for assists per game (7.5) this season and 2nd for points per game (24.0) this season.