Vasiljevic: We didn’t want them to celebrate on our home court

Adelaide 36ers co-captain DJ Vasiljevic has revealed the extra motivation that drove his side to victory over Sydney in Game Four of the NBL Championship series.

The Sixers won 92-91 in a nailbiting affair at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to force the series to a fifth and deciding game.

With a record 10,068 crowd in the arena lifting the group, Vasiljevic says there was another motivating factor that ensure the side fought until the end.

“We didn't want them to celebrate on our court,” he said after the game, “that was the main goal, and we want to take this to Game Five, which we've done.

“I think we've played through adversity all year. We've gone down in second halves, and in the first half, and we've been able to come back, and, you know, you've got to give credit to the crowd as well.

“Without them, this doesn't happen.

“Now we go to Sydney and compete for a championship.”

One of the better performers on the night with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists, Vasiljevic also paid tribute to his side’s resilience and closeness, saying the group never stopped believing that it could get past the Kings.

“I think it was the second game against South East (Melbourne). We made a list of the teams we've come back from behind that we've won and we were in double figures like in games,” he explained.

“It means a lot to the group of how close we've stayed together.

“I’ve played on teams sometimes when things don't go well, everything divides and you lose by 20, 30 points, but this group we've just stuck through it, we trust each other, and we enjoy each other's company off the court, which is number one.”

One of the more experienced players in the Sixers’ line-up with 177 NBL games and two championships under his belt.

Both of those came with the Kings, making for an interesting afternoon on Sunday in Sydney when Game Five tips off at 2:00pm ACDT.

“My time in Sydney, like I appreciate still that organisation, what they did for me and taking a chance for me out of college,” Vasiljevic said.

“For me, it's having a third championship in six years and doing it for this city.

“They haven't felt success in 24 years.

“I think me and Bryce (Cotton) would join like a small list of teams, players who have won two (championships) for (separate) clubs.

“It's about winning it for (coach) Mike Wells, for (assistant coach) Marko (Marinovic), for everyone in this organisation, because we know what this club's gone through the last seven or eight years.”