DrinkWise Preview: NBL26 - Round 12, Game 1 v Adelaide 36ers

Top spot on the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 ladder is on the line this Friday evening when we head on the road to face the Adelaide 36ers.

Coming off two defeats, we will be looking to correct our recent form and showcase the play that saw us take down the 36ers earlier in the season.

For Adelaide, six consecutive victories, which is their longest run of wins since the 2017-18 season where they lost to United in the Championship Series, has them playing full of confidence.

WHAT’S THE WORD?

Our Head Coach, Dean Vickerman, said the team isn’t putting any stock into the fact that we enter this game trailing the 36ers on the ladder.

“We’ve tried not to worry about ladder position all year. Going in as an underdog it won’t be something we speak about as a group,” Vickerman said.

“Right now we’re just trying to find these improvement areas and we believe if we get our process right, results will take care of themselves.”

Coming off his own thrilling win in Perth, Adelaide star Isaac Humphries explained what his last meeting with United was like, and how his group will look to prepare for Friday.

“It’ll be just like that last top-of-the-table clash, it felt like a playoff game, it felt like a Grand Final if I’m being honest,” Humphries explained.

“We’ll go into it knowing what we need to do, go into it like any other game… I’m sure we’ll head into the week and do what we do to prepare.”

WHO’S HOT, WHO'S NOT

Heading into Friday’s game, no player in NBL history has made more three-pointers against the 36ers than Chris Goulding.

The star shooter has connected on 180 long-range looks against Adelaide across his career, and will look to do the same when he walks into the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Goulding had 14 points and three triples when the teams faced off in Round 6.

On the other side, import forward Zylan Cheatham will look to build on his fantastic season.

In his last matchup against us, the American tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

DETAILS

Who: Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEDT, Friday 12 December, 2025

Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre 

Watch: Channel 10 & ESPN

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