X's and O's NBL23: Adelaide 36ers

Written by Melbourne United Media

With just one game remaining this regular season, let’s go on a deep dive into how Melbourne United can pick up a victory in their must-win matchup against the Adelaide 36ers in the final edition of Xs and Os for the regular season.

Force the Sixers to defend actions

Needing to put points on the board in bunches to guarantee a trip to the postseason, Melbourne will look to capitalise on Adelaide’s at-time leaky defence.

The Sixers have the third-worst defensive rating in the league, only in front of Perth and Illawarra.

This partly comes from struggles when it comes to defending movement off the ball, with Adelaide ranking last in points-per-possession defending cuts, and second last when defending players coming off screens.

United can take advantage of this by running varied actions on offence which include cutters and off-ball screens, forcing the Sixers to react in real time on defence.

via GIPHY

As seen in the play above, MU execute their opening play to perfection, forcing Adelaide to move and react all over the court which ultimately ends up in a Chris Goulding triple.

Put a body in front of Cleveland

Antonius Cleveland has played a huge role for Adelaide this season, using his physicality and athleticism to overwhelm opponents.

This was on full display on Monday night, with the athletic American putting on a show against the Cairns Taipans, finishing with a game-high 27 points.

12 of these points came in the paint, an area Melbourne did well in limiting him to when the two teams last met.

MU stifled Cleveland, allowing him just four points and forcing him into a pair of offensive fouls.

The only two baskets the Sixers star was able to connect on were a pair of dunks, with both coming due to a lack of physicality from United.

via GIPHY

If Melbourne can consistently put a body in front of Cleveland and limit his ability to get to the hoop, they will be poised to take home the crucial victory.