Wells: United win “most complete effort in a long time”

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells says Saturday night’s win over Melbourne United was its most complete performance in some time.

The Sixers saw off repeated challenges from United but on the back of some big performances from three big players – Zylan Cheatham (19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, Nick Rakocevic (20 points, 12 rebounds, two assists) and Isaac Humphries (13 points, four rebounds, one assist), ground out an important victory.

The 87-76 win was just their fourth in the 23 matches they’d played against United at John Cain Arena, and took the Sixers back to the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder.

It was the side’s 22^nd win for the season, marking just the third time in the club’s 44-year history that it has won 22 or more games.

The result was important with the Sixers coming off consecutive losses and a disappointing run of form in the lead up.

Coach Wells said his players needed the win to reward their effort at getting better each week.

“We just needed a nice win to get our group to, like, feel good again,” he said.

“We've been doing some good things, and, you know, you just don't get the reward at the end, and ultimately, the W gives us that satisfaction, as a coach, and players, and an organisation, but we've been doing better things.

“It's hard for me to say that when the end result is a loss, but we have been rebounding and coming back on the defensive end, and doing things, and then there's maybe a short window.

“Today was our most complete effort in a long time, and that's the most pleasing thing.”

With both sides looking to bounce back after road losses, the energy was high in the early stages.

Cheatham threatened to break the ring when he got up high but missed a dunk over two opponents, though his aggressiveness was proving important. He had nine points in the first quarter and paired with Bryce Cotton’s 10 points at 100 per-cent from the field, was causing all sorts of issues for United.

The Sixers’ six-point quarter time lead evaporated relatively quickly with Chris Goulding finding his range to bring his side into the lead, but Rakocevic hit a triple and followed up with a big dunk to get the visitors the lead back, by just two points at the main change, in what became a low-scoring affair.

Concerningly, Cotton landed awkwardly in the last minute of the half and went straight into the rooms with what appeared a back issue, only to return at the start of the third period to kick-start a run of 11 straight points by the Sixers, who opened up a 14-point advantage.

Rakocevic continued to prove a presence and Cheatham was getting it done at both ends, helping restrict the Melbourne side to just 14 points for the third quarter.

In front of a big crowd, United was never going to lie down, and even with Goulding restricted with an apparent calf injury and Jesse Edwards fouling out they closed to within three points in the dying stages.

With memories of giving up a 16 point lead to lose just two nights earlier undoubtedly vivid for the Sixers, it was a more composed final period this time with Humphries coming up big for a three-point play and Flynn Cameron finishing some important free throws against his old side to close out the win.

Coach Wells said his side would enjoy the win overnight but refocus ahead of its final home game of the regular season against New Zealand next Saturday night.

“Teams are made when adversity hits and we've been waiting for this moment,” he explained.

“We needed one more play the other night. One more. And, you know, last time we were here, we needed one more play.

“Those moments happen, and you win some, and you lose some, but for our group to rebound, refocus, and then put together a 40 minute effort like that. I just couldn't be more proud.

“And now, we’ve gotta do it again. That's what the league is, and, you know, we'll go home and play New Zealand.

(They’re) really fighting to get in the playoffs so that'll be a really interesting challenge for us.”

The Sixers will host their final home game of the season against the Breakers on Saturday evening from 5pm ACDT at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.