ADELAIDE 36ers have reversed the script against Melbourne United, exacting revenge on the side that beat them by 20 points in Round 9, by coming away with a four-quarter performance and 19-point victory at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Just a week ago, the 36ers looked in serious trouble, going down to Perth Wildcats by 24 points at home, their third consecutive 20-plus point loss. However a week is a long time in any sporting code, and for Adelaide, the past seven days have yielded big wins over Sydney Kings (15 points) and now Melbourne United, both title contenders.

In the victory over United, the 36ers raced out of the block to pour on 27 points to 17 and blow the lead out to double-digits in just 10 minutes. With the home crowd up and about, the 36ers continued to pile on the pressure, and incredibly against the odds, won all four quarters to lead by 13, 15 and then finally 19 points at each of the breaks, for another big win, 100-81.

While not quite in the Play-In Tournament places just yet, the back-to-back victories have taken Adelaide to within touching distance, and now sit just one victory off the top six. In an even competition – that also saw wins to the Phoenix, Bullets and Breakers in recent times, the gap between third and ninth is just three victories.

On the other side of the coin, the United loss is a plus for Illawarra who suffered a shock defeat at the hands of last placed Cairns Taipans the night before, though Melbourne is still in control to finish in the top few spots on the ladder. However with a rampaging Tasmania JackJumpers on the move and now just two wins off United with three games in hand, the race for a top two spot has become a lot more interesting of late.

In the match last night, United had a whopping 54 rebounds to Adelaide’s 40, but were terrible with ball in hand, giving off 17 turnovers to six, and the 36ers were able to punish them with 22 points from those turnovers. They also shot at a far higher rate, with 50 per cent from inside the arc, and getting to the line for 30 free throws compared to United’s nine.

Kendric Davis continues to be a shining light for the 36ers with 28 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals, and his new small-tall partnership with Montrezl Harrell (28 points, nine rebounds and three blocks) is blossoming nicely. The introduction of Harrell this season has eased the pressure on fellow big man Isaac Humphries, while the attention paid to Davis, has opened up opportunities for long-range shooter Dejan Vasiljevic (19 points, four of six from long-range).

Chris Goulding still had a say from three-point range with four of eight en route to 18 points, but he had few teammates stepping up with only Matthew Dellavedova (10 points, nine assists – though six turnovers) and Tanner Krebs (13 points in 16 minutes off the bench) having an impact offensively. Robert Loe pulled in 12 rebounds across his 21 minutes as well.

Melbourne United will have the five days to recover before heading to Qudos Bank Arena to take on the Sydney Kings, while Adelaide 36ers head south for a massive contest against the red-hot JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena.