DrinkWise Preview: NBL22 - Round 9 v Adelaide 36ers

Melbourne United will bring an end to their seven-game road stretch on Sunday afternoon when they face the Adelaide 36ers for the second time in eight days.

United have been white hot during this time away from home, winning all six contests by an average margin of nine points.

Across these games, Melbourne recorded their highest score of the season the last time they matched up with the Sixers, finishing with 97 points in the 19 point victory.

For Adelaide, breaking their current three-game skid is crucial coming into Sunday’s game, as they look to build momentum moving towards the half-way point of the season.

PLAYER TO WATCH

In his third year with United, Shea Ili has been somewhat of an unsung hero for the defending champs during NBL22.

The Kiwi point guard has formed a fantastic ball-handling duo with Matthew Dellavedova, and has thrived as a leader coming off the bench.

One of his best games of the season so far came in Round 8, when he carved up the Sixers for seven points and seven assists in just over 20 minutes of play.

Head Coach Dean Vickerman recently called Ili “one of the hardest players to stay in front of in the league,” which has been indicative of his stellar play so far.

Look for Shea to attack the paint with pace while keeping an eye on his teammates for open shots and alley-oop slams.

KEY MATCHUP

The early, but limited success Adelaide had in their last game against United came inside, as star big-man Cameron Bairstow went at Melbourne’s defensive anchor, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

It was a fascinating matchup throughout the game, with each player finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds.

In the two games following his performance against United, Bairstow has gone to work on the glass (13.5 per game), but struggled to score against top rim protectors (9.5 points per game).

The league-leader in total blocked shots, JLA will look to impose his will on the former NBA big, sending away shots and attacking Bairstow in the paint.

THE OTHER GUYS

With Bairstow tied up with JLA, and Mitch McCarron in question after missing the Sixers’ loss to the JackJumpers, Adelaide will need to get some more consistent play from it’s cast of supplementary scorers.

Sunday Dech and Dusty Hannahs have both shown the ability to light it up, each putting together a 20-point performance since playing Melbourne.

Usually one of the league’s most reliable shooters, Daniel Johnson has struggled of late, averaging less than 10 pointers per contest across his last three games, two of which he was held scoreless in the second half.

Kai Sotto remains a wildcard for Adelaide, but has flashed positive signs since stepping into the void an injured Isaac Humphries has left.

The Next Star is averaging 10 points and 5.3 rebounds in his past three games, and has shown a knack for capitalising on second chance opportunities.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers

Tip off: 1pm (AEDT), Sunday 30 January, 2022

Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Watch: Australia - 10Peach, Kayo Freebies, ESPN