NBL27 Preview - Round 4 Game 1 vs Adelaide 36ers

After a pair of unfortunate results in last week's double header, Melbourne United are hungry for a win, and there’s no better motivator to do so than in an Ignite Cup game. Melbourne will be travelling to Adelaide to take on the 36ers who, following back-to-back losses of their own, are eager to get back in the win column. 

Saturday’s loss to the Taipans had its flaws, but there was a stretch in the third quarter where United were playing some of the best hoops they have all year; a style of play that Head Coach Jacob Chance and his playing group are keen to replicate through a full 40 minutes in the season opener rematch on Wednesday. 

WHAT’S THE WORD?

Following practice, Head Coach Jacob Chance spoke on the team's mindset coming into Wednesday’s matchup

“Urgency is the word that we're leaning on right now,” Chance said. 

“We accept we're one and three [but] we're right where we're supposed to be… we came in [to practice] and had a great day today, [we’re going to] have a great day tomorrow and get on the plane [to Adelaide] with the right mindset. 

“Hopefully [we can] put 40 minutes together. We've shown in glimpses that we can be really damaging, but glimpses just aren't enough right now.”

Coming into his 113th straight game for United, the second longest consecutive game streak in the NBL, ironman Kyle Bowen is keen to get a win in enemy territory. 

“Adelaide are a great challenge for us and their arena is a very hard place to win and we're really looking forward to the challenge,” Bowen explained.

“We want to play at a high tempo. We've got so much talent in the room think playing with a sense of urgency, high pace, high IQ, I think that really brings out the best in these guys and myself.”

Following their loss to the New Zealand Breakers at home, Head Coach Trevor Gleeson commented on what was missing in that game, and what their focus is for Wednesday.

“I thought we were a little flat coming out,” Gleeson said.

“We've got to get in the gym and make some shots. [Against the Breakers] we shot 20% from the three, we'll go back and see how we're creating shots and executing…we want to play up tempo a little bit more.”

WHO’S HOT? WHO’S NOT?

Against the Taipans, Cole Anthony’s rim pressure was relentless. The star import made 16 free throws as he bullied his way to the first 40 point game from any player in NBL27. In United’s first game against the 36ers this year, Anthony was running the same game on his way to a 30 bomb. If the boys in blue are going to impose their will on the 36ers defence, a lot of the damage will come from his hands. 

On both sides of the ball, Malith Machar is set to continue his career best form. Inside John Cain on Saturday, Machar had a career high 14 points, going 3/4 from the three point line; this was not an aberration. The dynamic forward has expanded his shooting range and offensive game to new heights this season and will be an important part of United’s gameplan come Wednesday night. 

It's hard to talk about the Adelaide 36ers without bringing up Bryce Cotton in the first sentence. The reigning MVP is averaging 25 points per game and has been lights out from three this year. His matchup with Anthony will be box-office, and if United only have one thing on their mind coming into the game defensively, it will be to lock Cotton up by any means necessary. 

On defence, Adelaide are the worst in the league on the glass. This may leave a plethora of opportunities for United’s bigs to snatch second chance points, notably Josh Oduro, who has been elite on the o-boards in his first four games, hauling in 3.5 a game. The 36ers will need to be conscious of their physicality to keep Oduro and the rest of United’s size at bay.  

DETAILS 

Who: Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEST, Wednesday October 7, 2026

Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Watch: ESPN via Disney+ and Kayo

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