IT WILL need to be a significant turnaround from the Adelaide 36ers if they are going to flip the momentum in game two of the National Basketball League (NBL) Championship Series against the Sydney Kings.

In a series that was billed as likely to go down to the wire, the Kings made a serious statement in game one with an astounding 44-point triumph at Qudos Bank Arena last Saturday night. It was a record performance to set the tone for the decisive series, putting Sydney in the box seat to take home the 2025/26 title.

However, the series will now head to Adelaide, where the Sixers will be confident in their ability to bounce back and tie up proceedings after two games, although they will need to be significantly better than their most recent outing.

Adelaide 36ers vs. Sydney Kings

Game Two
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Friday, March 27 @ 7:30pm

The Sixers were completely outplayed by the Kings in game one of the series, suffering a record loss to open their account on the big stage and are now heading into game two on the back foot in a big way. They lacked the answers on both ends of the floor and were punished by a classier Kings outfit in Sydney.

However, the Sixers have shown to be the best team in the competition at various stages throughout the season, and have defeated the Kings in the home and away fixture, so there is some promise. Although game one was far from ideal, Adelaide has the tools to bounce back and could equal the series at home tonight.

A lot of the hope surrounding this will be defined by the performance of Bryce Cotton, who was expertly defended in game one. The six-time and reigning MVP was held to just 10 points in game one last weekend, with Matthew Dellavedova and the Kings implementing a physical and relentless method of restricting him. If the Sixers are to win tonight, Cotton will need to be more productive.

It could not have been a better performance from the Kings to open the Championship Series at home last Saturday night, completely obliterating the Sixers with one of their most complete performances of the season. Sydney was the better team both offensively and defensively, and showed why it is the favourite to win it all.

Although the Kings were dominant in game one, it is unlikely they will find it as easy tonight, given the Sixers will have made plenty of adjustments and the series moves to South Australia. However, Sydney is good enough to win on the road, and taking a 2-0 lead in the series would be immense for their championship hopes.

It should be an interesting reception for MVP runner up and former Sixer Kendric Davis, who has been excellent since joining the Kings. He was terrific in game one with 25 points and seven assists, but there has been some bad blood with words shared in the media about his former side, so he will be looking to silence the crowd in Adelaide.