Match Preview: Sixers prepared for Valentine’s date with Breakers

The Adelaide 36ers are back home to host New Zealand on Saturday evening for what will be the club’s final game at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the regular season.

The Sixers returned to the winners’ list and the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder with victory over Melbourne United on Saturday night and a win will give them a good chance of retaining a top-two spot into the finals.

The Breakers will need to win their final two games – against Adelaide and Cairns – and hope that Tasmania drops their final two matches to have any chance of making the top six.

At 12-19 so far, the Breakers will be desperate for a win to stay in contention for the play-ins.

The Sixers have had an incredible season so far, winning 22 of their 31 games.

Only twice in its history has the club won 22 games in a season, and the 1986 championship year was the only time the Sixers have won more than 22 games. They won 24 of their 26 games that year.

The Sixers have had a good look at the Breakers, having already played them twice this season, both times in New Zealand, but with forward Sam Mennenga (wrist) joining import Rob Baker II (knee), Izayah Le'Afa (foot) and Next Start Karim Lopez (leg) on the injury list, it will be a very different Breakers outfit on the court on Saturday.

Head Coach Mike Wells said having been away from Adelaide for six of the last seven games, he hoped his side would reward the home supporters for a 36^th straight sellout with a strong performance.

But he said despite his side having won the last four games against the Breakers and some absences in the New Zealand side’s line-up, he was wary of guards Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izaiah Brockington.

“We know them after we've played them a few times,” he said of the Breakers.

“Their team's changed just a little bit with a couple of injuries.

“(But) you know, PJC and Brockington are two really, really talented players, and they'll have our full focus.

“I think the group's excited for the challenge and then excited to play a home game.”

Saturday evening’s game gets underway at 5:00pm ACDT.

If you can’t be at the AEC, you can watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+.

ADELAIDE 36ERS v NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS v
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Saturday 14 February, 5:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 83, Adelaide 39, New Zealand 44

At AEC
Played 10, Adelaide 7, New Zealand 3

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 23, 2026 – 36ers 112 def Breakers 110 at Spark Arena, Auckland
Nov 6, 2025 – 36ers 83 def Breakers 79 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Jan 26, 2025 – 36ers 94 def Breakers 78 at AEC
Dec 14, 2024 – 36ers 111 def Breakers 94 at AEC
Nov 2, 2024 - Breakers 109 def 36ers 82 at Spark Arena, Auckland

KEY STATS

·       Adelaide has lost the first half in each of its last five home games.

·       Adelaide has won each of its last four games against New Zealand.

·       Heading into Round 21, Dejan Vasiljevic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (96.0%) this season.

·       Heading into Round 21, Isaac Humphries ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (67.4%) this season.

·       Zylan Cheatham has recorded 7+ rebounds in 15 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

·       New Zealand has lost each of its last 19 away games after trailing at half-time.

·       New Zealand has lost each of its last three games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

·       Parker Jackson-Cartwright has a career average of 21.4 points per game against Adelaide - most against any opponent.