Why they can win: Adelaide v South East Melbourne (Playoffs, Game 1)

Pete Hooley for NBL.com.au.

The Adelaide 36ers will host the South East Melbourne Phoenix in game one of their NBL26 Playoff Series on Tuesday night, with tip-off from 7.30pm AEDT.

Before the two rivals hit the hardwood at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, let's check how they match up against one another.

Watch every game of the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Finals Series, live on ESPN.

Season results

- Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 88-71
- Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 94-81
- South East Melbourne defeated Adelaide 108-89
- South East Melbourne defeated 97-77

Stat leaders

Adelaide
Points: Bryce Cotton - 25.7
Rebounds: Zylan Cheatham – 10.2
Assists: Bryce Cotton 7.6

South East Melbourne
Points: Nathan Sobey – 22.1
Rebounds: John Brown III – 6.3
Assists: Nathan Sobey – 4.8

Key statistic

Across the four games this season, whoever has won the rebounding battle has come away with the win.

In Adelaide’s two wins, they had 10 more rebounds than the Phoenix. However, when the Phoenix returned the favour, they outrebounded the 36ers by eight and then 17.

X-Factors

Nick Rakocevic
The 36ers' backup big man has been instrumental in their season thus far and his play has a strong correlation on the result of the game. When Rakocevic has eight or more rebounds, Adelaide has won six of eight games. Conversely, his two best scoring games have been in wins for his team, with a 19 and 20-point performance against Melbourne and Cairns.

Angus Glover
The Best Sixth Man winner has proven how important he is to his team’s success in every season he’s played, yet this year could be his most telling yet. When Glover scores 18 or more, the Phoenix are 7-0, highlighting how key his contribution is off the bench. Not only is he able to do that on the offensive end, but his defensive assignments and ability to score in the clutch has been on full display.

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Why each team can win

Adelaide
It was his first season in new colours, but Bryce Cotton was up to his old tricks, once again leading the league in scoring and collecting his sixth MVP.

Now that it’s the business end of the season, Cotton usually finds a way to rise to the occasion and deliver on the biggest stage. Adelaide’s superstar playmaker has played 28 post-season games and averages over 23 points and five assists in those.

Outside of Cotton, the 36ers have been at their most dangerous when Zylan Cheatham and Flynn Cameron are aggressive on the offensive end. Both have had big individual games, but it’s shown to be highly conducive to winning when they can take some of the playmaking pressure off their leader.

South East Melbourne
At one point midway through the season, the Phoenix were the benchmark of the competition on the defensive end and while that may have dropped off towards the end of the regular season, they flexed their muscle over Perth in the play-in. Josh King’s men ramped up the pressure on the Wildcats and forced 17 turnovers, which led to 27 fast break points.

Not only have they shown the ability to display that relentless defensive intent, but their offensive firepower has arguably more weapons than anyone else in the league. The Phoenix led the league in scoring this season and had seven players average more than 10 points. If it’s not Nathan Sobey, it can be any one of Wes Iwundu, Owen Foxwell, Angus Glover or Ian Clark who have the ability to put up big numbers.