Category: NBL

"Wild" Kyle Adnam (#8) in action against the OKC Thunder earlier this week took the blowtorch to the Sixers tonight - Photo by ABC (Australia)

United jumped out of the blocks with a 7-0 run, but an early technical foul on Tai Wesley for an unfortunate hand gesture stirred up trouble early for Dean Vickerman’s men. Wright with a forced change with Shannon Shorter missing action with family bereavement in the line-up sent bench back-up guard Adam Doyle to Ware Jnr and he obliged by making a play early with United in foul trouble. The Sixers hustled hard on the glass early in the match but veteran Dave Andersen was making the Sixers life hard with 7 points in the opening quarter. In the absence of the dynamic Chris Goulding, “Wild” Kyle Adnam dropped two threes in the latter part of the quarter and United led 29-14 at the end of one.

Nathan Sobey applied some ball IQ early on with the heads up play to open the second to DJ for the free throw opportunities but was then answered by Adnam. United pushed the lead out to 20 points and alarm bells were ringing for the Sixers with Ware Jnr and Barlow getting in on the 3-point party. The Sixers found a little momentum after a timeout but even Josh Boone was running the lane as United looked like they were the “open court team” but two threes to Anthony Drmic who become the leading scorer with 13 points forced a timeout to United as momentum began to shift. Ramone Moore came up with the double play of the block and the sweet pass to Hodgson for the and1 when in a huge moment in the game, United import Casey Prather collided his knee with Mitch Creek both hustling for a loose ball. The Sixers continued to create through Moore and large minutes to a freed-up Hodgson and the Sixers had pushed their way back into the game 48-54. In a crucial stat, the Sixers were leading the rebound count 29-15 and had lifted their field goal percentage from 19 to 41 percent by the half in a 34-point quarter.

Drmic started the second half but Prather didn’t out of the game as both teams traded scores with Adnam continuing to be a menace for the Sixers. Cutting it to single figures the Sixers kept taking it at United’s front court but Boone was becoming the most influential player in the game, Wesley finger rolled back-to-back and timeout was burned by Wright trailing by 15 with 3:37 to go in the third. A Creek to Majok Deng alley got the crowd back into it followed by a Deng triple. Alan Wiggins Jnr got on the board through another offensive rebound then Drmic pulled off the euro step through the forest for the and1. The Sixers came up with a play with two seconds on the clock for an inspiring Creek slam to cut it to 70-77 at three quarter time.

Wesley and Boone opened the quarter for United with the first 6 points and the Sixers called a quick timeout with Wright rolling the dice on an unsettled Wiggins Jnr. Adnam then nailed a dagger for a career best to push the margin out to 18. The Sixers couldn’t buy a field goal shooting nought of ten in the first half of the quarter. United then rotated through their bench as the Sixers kept shooting at a hoop that clearly had a lid on it as Moore scored the Sixers first field goal with 35 seconds left in the game. United closing out an emphatic victory 99-79 in a blistering two weeks for the club from Melbourne.

The dynamic Mitch Creek led the way for the Sixers and didn’t drop his head with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Drmic provided the spark and hustle when Adelaide trailed by 20 early in the second with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 75 percent from the perimeter. The only pleasing statistic for Wright was that the Sixers won the rebound count 53-43 but probably only compelled the Sixers missed opportunities.

Adnam led the way with his career best 23 points at 66 percent including 6 of 8 three point makes while Ware Jnr finished strongly with 18 points and 8 assists. Boone also proved a thorn in the Sixers side with a double double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. United’s defence was on show in the statistics too as they registered 6 block shots, scored 29 points on turnovers and produced 12-3 in the steal count.

Melbourne United take a well earnt break till they come up in a blockbuster clash next Friday night against the Perth Wildcats at the Jungle, while the Sixers will welcome a Kings side potentially 0-3 desperate to win next Saturday night. Given Adelaide have dropped their first two at home, you don’t think the Sixers will be short on motivation to win that one.

Adelaide 36ers 79 (Creek 20, Drmic, Moore 16) defeated by Melbourne United 99 (Adnam 23, Ware Jnr, Boone 18, Wesley 12, Andersen 10) at Titanium Security Arena

Box Score

 Written by Tristan Prentice

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, 14^th 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

"I ain't afraid of no Sixer" as Caspar Ware Jnr drives his way to 23 on the opening night of the NBL season - Photo by SMH

Nathan Sobey opened the game with a bang knowing full well some NBA staff scouting United before their clash would be watching from the Oklahoma City Thunder and led the relatively fresh looking line-up to an early lead. SA born Peter Hooley got one on the board for his first basket to snap United out of their slow start but new Adelaide imports Shannon Shorter and Ramone Moore were impressing early with their high basketball IQ and calmness under the pressure of Caspar Ware Jnr and Casey Prather on the perimeter shining through. The 36ers led at the first change 27-18.

Sobey continued his work slashing his way through the Melbourne defence, landing long bombs and setting up his teammates with some solid defence on the turnaround. United player Tai Wesley started to channel his grunt work and found himself open for a couple of open shots as United took the momentum midway through the second quarter as the 36ers struck foul trouble. The Sixers before the match were down one tall import with the club releasing import Ronald Roberts after not meeting the requirements of coach Joey Wright in the past month according to a pre- interview with Corey “Homicide” Williams prior to tip-off. United took advantage of the situation as Ware Jnr banked in a triple to have his team trail by just 2-points at half time, 45-47. Sobey led all with 16-points at a staggering 87 percent to signal his 2016/17 season was no fluke.

United then came out and blitzed the 36ers but it wasn’t all one sided as fans could be forgiven for thinking Melbourne had knocked down that many points. Several triples were dropped from Ware Jnr, the veteran David Barlow and even Hooley got in on the act. The 36ers not to be outdone saw a much-improved Anthony Drmic drop a few in transition himself as Shorter started to insert himself into the game making some great passes and helping the 36ers get their player movement happening in which Mitch Creek and Drmic took advantage. The 67-point total quarter from both teams was scary for opposition teams to watch with the firepower both teams had shown but despite the long range fireworks, United led 85-74 heading into the final quarter.

United found foul trouble early in the fourth quarter as the 36ers began to make a charge. Shorter made some key plays as Sobey found his way back into the game and the 36ers were rolling again. Enter Ware Jnr and Prather the new dynamic duo as they produced play after play in the open court and on the perimeter as the 36ers big men couldn’t get their game going in the final five minutes. Drmic tried to rescue the 36ers with hustle and some more big shots down the stretch but luck seemed to be on United side as they end up with the ball three times off turnovers caused by the 36ers swarming late match defence. Quiet most of the night Captain David Andersen iced the game from the stripe and United would have plenty to celebrate on the plane to the USA as they pinched the close one, 99-97.

Sobey led the scorers for the 36ers with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in a brilliant opening performance for the season, Drmic was next best with a quality 17 points, 5 rebounds and shot 63 percent from the field in 21:01 minutes of court time. Shorter was the best of the imports on debut with 14 points and 5 assists in a tidy debut.

Ware Jnr was the man for United with 23 points with 55 percent from the perimeter, 6 assists and for his size a whopping 8 rebounds while Prather quietly snuck his way up to 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Josh Boone came from the clouds late and nearly stole a double double with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The 36ers head to Sydney Saturday Night hopefully ironing out a few issues in the second half taking rushed shots and settling down a couple of big men popping the open jumpers instead of trying to create under pressure off the dribble. United are off to the USA to face off against possibly Russell Westbrook and most likely former 36ers import Terrance Ferguson of the OKC Thunder and should give a reasonable account of themselves given the Kings effort against the Utah Jazz. The 36ers will be looking to take advantage of the long trip for the Kings and make it 1-1 by the time we reach the end of the weekend.

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

Box Score

 Written by Tristan Prentice