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Can the 36ers avoid being swept?
Nicholas Quinlan • March 26th, 2026 7:04 pm
While they're down 1-nil in the NBL Championship Series, Andrew Gaze believes that the Adelaide 36ers are capable of avoiding a clean sweep.
After suffering a 44-point loss in Game 1 to the Sydney Kings, the 36ers' chances of winning their first title since 2002 have taken a significant hit.
But despite the Kings' showing in the series opener, the seven-time NBL MVP is confident that the series will go beyond three games.
“I am going to say…and this sounds ridiculous,” Gaze told SEN’s Vossy Verdict.
“But I am going to say the Adelaide 36ers are going (to) be able to bounce back and pick up a win either here or on Sunday.
“I don’t think it’ll be a sweep.
“I just think that the Adelaide 36ers throughout the course of the season have shown a level of consistency which I think would make it very difficult for any team, including the Sydney Kings, to sweep them.”
One of the factors that will determine whether they are swept is Bryce Cotton.
The reigning back-to-back-to-back NBL MVP, who averages 26.2 points this season, was held to 10 points.
He was one of three 36ers to score double digits in the series opener.
This, in the eyes of Gaze, is a credit to the Kings’ plan for the 36ers superstar.
However, having had a six-day break between Games 1 and 2 should allow coach Mike Wells to overcome it.
“Yeah, absolutely you do, because they've been doing it right throughout the entire season,” Gaze explained.
“They held him to seven points earlier on in the season by just a smothering defence.
“They're double-teaming him in any on-ball situation; that is a screen and roll situation.
“They are just doubling him and trying to get the ball out of his hands and saying, ‘OK, someone else is going (to) beat us, but it's not going to be you’.
“And even when they're in isolated situations with Bryce, they're just building a wall behind him, and it's very hard for him to create his own shot.
“So, in these circumstances, you’d think with an unusually long break. Like the game was on Saturday, it's going to be (on) Friday.
“So, Adelaide have been able to go back and have a look at things and practise some adjustments that they need a counter to what they're doing for the double team.
“If they can do that, they can free up Bryce a little bit.”
Game 2 takes place this Friday at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with SEN having live coverage of the match on SEN SA and 1170 SEN, which can be heard on the SEN app from 7pm AEDT.
Tip-off is set for 7:30pm AEDT.
