Sixers import Shannon Shorter will play a key role this week against the "cloud nine" United back court - Photo by Getty Images
When: 5:00pm (ACDT), Saturday, 14th October
Where: Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide
Broadcast: NBL TV, Fox Sports, Sky Sports, SBS Viceland
Last time they met:
Adelaide 36ers 97 (Sobey 21, Drmic 17, Creek 15, Shorter 14, Johnson 13, Moore 10) defeated by Melbourne United 99 (Ware 23, Prather 20, Boone, Andersen, Wesley 10) at Titanium Security Arena
CROSS-OVER-DRIBBLE FLASHBACK
GAME ONE 2013/14 SEMI-FINAL SERIES: ADELAIDE 36ERS VS MELBOURNE TIGERS
We flashback to the last series to feature the Melbourne Tigers as a franchise and while most remember the incident in game two between Gary Ervin and Chris Goulding and Daniel Johnson’s dominate performance of 23 in game three that led to a 39-point blowout, game one was one of the most entertaining matches of the series.
Brendan Teys our now Captain of the Sixers emerged as Wright’s glue guy during this season and continued to take that form into this finals series. We also saw the final minutes of four-time Sixers MVP now Tiger Adam Ballinger and probably the most current well-known media commentator in the league by the NBA from our league, Tommy Greer.
The game started like a house on fire with the ever-improved Tiger Chris Goulding dropping 13 (3 triples) points in the first quarter, however Melbourne scored a majority of their 26 in the first half of the first quarter trailing 31-26 at quarter time. That was before Sixers mid-season recruit Rhys “Get” Carter entered the game and knocked down 4 of 5 from the perimeter and locked down Goulding for the remainder of the game giving the Sixers a 53-46 lead at the half.
In the second half it became the Gary Ervin show as he blew the Tigers apart with 20 points in the second half from both the perimeter and the charity stripe as the Tigers defence even with adjustment from coach Chris Anstey had no answer. The Sixers pulled away in the final quarter setting up their match up in game two against the Tigers back in Melbourne on the Sunday. In a statistic that sums up how this game was a viewing pleasure for the spectators, the Sixers shot 53% from the field while the Tigers shot 46% in an outstanding offensive spectacle.
Adelaide 36ers 101 (Ervin 27, Carter 17, Johnson 15, Petrie 13) defeated Melbourne Tigers 85 (Goulding 20, Ballinger 15, Walker 13, Tomlinson 12, Worthington 11) at Adelaide Arena
Key Match-Ups:
Shannon Shorter vs. Caspar Ware Jnr
Shorter has integrated into the Sixers system smoothly and is delivering exactly what coach Joey Wright needs at both ends of the floor. His ability to force the smaller guards to defend in the mid-range and post sections of the floor make him a difficult cover especially with the Sixers boasting so many weapons in their line-up.
On opening night, Caspar Ware Jnr made his statement as the new league MVP incumbent and after a memorable performance against the NBA league MVP Russell Westbrook, his form is on cloud nine at the moment. Ware Jnr is the player that can split the difference between these two teams on the scoreboard, so Shorter is going to have to cover him on the open three-point line otherwise it’s going to be a long night on the defensive end for the Sixers.
Daniel Johnson vs. Tai Wesley
DJ had a night out against the Cairns Taipans only enforcing his near close to average of 20 points per game against the Snakes since 2012. The 32-point performance saw Johnson return to what he does best, the pick and pop and the knock down open shot off the Sixers off-ball work.
On the opening night, I noticed Johnson was forced to create off dribble and go to the rim with multiple defenders. Wesley is the kind of defender and physical hard man that can play a Mark Worthington style game on him and force DJ to do what’s not comfortable for him. Wesley also can draw Johnson out to the perimeter as a threat so this looms as an intriguing match up to see how the Sixers adjust to United’s game plan on DJ.
Matthew Hodgson vs Majok Majok
It’s no secret that Hodgson has found himself in early foul trouble this season and it has shown in the crucial rebound count for the Sixers. United won this crucial statistic through particularly Josh Boone and gave up plenty of second chance points so Hodgson needs to keep himself out of this trouble and on the floor to pick up those crucial boards.
Majok is playing a slightly different role coming in behind Boone and Wesley for Vickerman but the man labelled by NBL commentator Corey “Homicide” Williams the “rebounding machine” is a looming threat for the Sixers. Majok’s physical presence on the boards could gift United’s scorer’s extra opportunities so even Majok Deng, DJ and Mitch Creek have got to box out Majok Majok efficiently to quell his influence.
The Last Play
Coach Joey Wright will have looked at the video from the opening night and tweaked some defensive rotations to counter United. Rotation to cover Ware Jnr must be number one priority and the talk and focus from Adelaide’s front line must be constant throughout the game to box out United’s big rebounding bodies. How Wright uses new import Alan Wiggins Jnr will also be interesting to watch and could depend on the foul count of the starting five.
Vickerman and his team are coming off an enormous high and with so much potency coming off the bench down to even veteran David Barlow and former Sixers rookie Kyle Adnam, United look loaded and are rolling. The travel factor must play a part and perhaps United are due for an emotional letdown especially if the Sixers get off to another fast-paced start like their last few games against United, the Kings and the Taipans. After dropping the opening game at the “Fortress” of Titanium Security Arena, I expect Adelaide will find something extra and close out United in the final quarter squaring the ledger at 1-1.
36ers by 5 points
Written by Tristan Prentice
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 