Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United Verdict
Both sides are looking to bounce back and home advantage might the difference and key for the Adelaide 36ers. Zylan Cheatham scored 18 points when these teams met in Round 1 and is backed for 15+ in this one.
- Adelaide have won their past three games against Melbourne.
- Melbourne have lost four of their past five games.
- Cheatham scored 18 points against Melbourne in Round 1.
- Melbourne are allowing opponents to shoot 38.5% from the field, the best defensive mark in the NBL, but have lost their past two despite that strong overall defensive record.
Head to Head
Melbourne lead the all-time series 81-58, but Adelaide have turned this matchup around recently with three consecutive wins.
That includes their 97-95 victory at John Cain Arena in Round 1, when Cotton scored 29 points and Cheatham added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Adelaide 36ers Form
Adelaide have dropped to 2-3 after consecutive losses to Illawarra and New Zealand.
Sunday's 88-72 home defeat to the Breakers was particularly disappointing, with Adelaide committing only nine turnovers but unable to overcome New Zealand's hot shooting from outside.
Rakocevic was outstanding with career-highs of 29 points and 16 rebounds, but Cotton was held to 19 and the rest of Adelaide's lineup combined for only 24 points.
Rakocevic's availability for Wednesday is also uncertain after he was referred to the Game Review Panel following an incident involving Mojave King.
Melbourne United Form
Melbourne are also searching for answers after slipping to 1-2 with a 107-95 home defeat against Cairns.
United led by 13 during the third quarter before being overrun, with the Taipans shooting 15-of-39 from three while Melbourne managed just 5-of-24.
Cole Anthony was the clear bright spot with a season-high 40 points, but Melbourne couldn't produce enough around him.
United have now lost four of their past five games stretching across the end of last season and face an Adelaide team that has beaten them in three straight meetings.