In a highly anticipated NBL grudge match, the Adelaide 36ers emerged victorious over Melbourne United, securing a crucial 100-81 win in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The eighth-ranked Sixers showcased their resilience and determination, winning every quarter against second-placed United in front of 9,588 passionate fans.
Star Imports Shine in Revenge Game
Leading the charge for the 36ers were superstar imports Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell, both playing with a chip on their shoulder after receiving suspensions in the teams’ previous acrimonious clash. Davis put on a show with 28 points and 11 assists, while Harrell matched his scoring output with 28 points of his own, along with 9 rebounds.
This team is continuing to evolve and this team’s growing. What you’re seeing is a group that’s had to go through a lot of adversity for a lot of different reasons and we’ve come out the other side of it now.
– Adelaide coach Mike Wells
Tough Road to Redemption
The win marked a significant turnaround for the 36ers, who had struggled mightily since their heated October encounter with United at John Cain Arena, which saw Melbourne come out on top by 27 points. The fallout from that game included suspensions for Harrell and Davis due to a fight with courtside spectators, as well as a fine for United guard Shea Ili for his role in an on-court scuffle with Harrell.
Intensity from the Jump
The tension between the two teams was palpable from the opening tip, with Harrell committing a hard foul on Ili and stepping over him, only for the Melbourne guard to retaliate with a shove. Despite United scoring the first five points and taking an early 10-7 lead, the Sixers quickly seized control behind a 12-0 run fueled by 10 straight points from Davis.
Dominant Performance on Both Ends
Adelaide’s dominance continued throughout the game, with Harrell and Davis proving to be an unstoppable force. The 36ers capitalized on Melbourne’s turnovers, scoring 27 points off United’s 17 giveaways. Harrell brought the crowd to their feet in the third quarter with a powerful block on Matthew Dellavedova, followed by an intense staredown of the Boomers legend.
United’s Struggles Continue
For Melbourne, Chris Goulding led the way with 18 points, while the heavily booed Ili managed 14 before fouling out early in the fourth quarter to the delight of the Adelaide faithful. United coach Dean Vickerman lamented his team’s carelessness with the ball and inability to mount a serious comeback.
We didn’t value the ball the way we wanted to and we got seriously punished for it any time we turned the ball over. I thought we were trying to look for some home-run passes when we just needed to move it and be a bit more patient.
– Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman
Sixers Keep Finals Hopes Alive
The victory keeps the 36ers in the hunt for a spot in the NBL finals, as they look to build on this momentum and make a late-season push. With the star power of Davis and Harrell, coupled with the team’s newfound resilience in the face of adversity, Adelaide will be a force to be reckoned with as the regular season approaches its climax.
As for Melbourne United, they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to maintain their position near the top of the standings and secure home-court advantage for the postseason. With the NBL’s intensity reaching a fever pitch, every game matters, and both the 36ers and United will be leaving it all on the court in their pursuit of glory.
