United and 36ers set to face off again in NBL Summer Shootout blockbuster

Tension between Melbourne and Adelaide is set to go up a notch this January, with United nominating the 36ers as their Summer Shootout opponent, in their first clash since round nine’s melee.

The heated rivalry between Adelaide and Melbourne is set to go to another level after United nominated the 36ers as their Summer Shootout opponent.

The clash on January 4 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre will be the first meeting between the two clubs since last Sunday’s ugly on-court altercation that spilled into the stands with the fans.

United will enter the Shootout as one of the favourites, with Dean Vickerman’s squad ranking second in the league in both offensive rating and points per game.

Contrastingly, the 36ers allow 94.4 points per game, the most of any club.

The 36ers and United’s will pick up their rivalry in January. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

As revealed by Code Sports, across the month of January each team has been asked to nominate an away opponent which they think they can score the most points against, and the away team that records the highest score will collect $50,000.

The fan who selects the correct game with the highest score will be in the running to win $100,000.

The NBL Summer Shootout series will encourage high-scoring basketball, while it will put a chip on the shoulder of the nominated away team to prove a point.

Tasmania, Adelaide, Brisbane and South East Melbourne will be out to silence the doubters after being the only teams to be nominated twice.

NBL SUMMER SERIES GAMES:

Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings, Saturday January 4, Brisbane Entertainment Centre

The high-powered Kings have nominated the Bullets and Brian Goorjian will be hoping his offensively stacked roster will click on all cylinders.

The individual scoring talents of Jaylen Adams, Cam Oliver, Xavier Cooks and Kouat Noi can’t be understated, making Sydney a dangerous unit to take out the Shootout.

“I’m already the father of the Gold Coast Rollers … why not be the father of South East Queensland,” Noi said.

Star of the @SydneyKings Kouat Noi was close to death as a baby.

But NBA great Manute Bol stepped up to save him.

✍️ @mattlogue7
STORY ▶️ https://t.co/sNPTH6fzP1pic.twitter.com/qHoFwEZEFq

— CODE Basketball (@codebballau) November 15, 2024

Tasmania JackJumpers v Adelaide 36ers, Friday January 10, MyState Bank Arena

On paper, the 36ers selecting the JackJumpers as their opponent seems strange.

Tasmania is the defending champion, is undefeated at MyState Bank Arena this season, and rank second in defensive rating and third in points allowed. Hard-nosed, grit-and-grind defence are hallmarks of Scott Roth teams, and they will be extra determined to ‘defend the island’ during the Shootout.

Tasmania JackJumpers v Perth Wildcats, Sunday January 12, MyState Bank Arena

Perth scored 88 against Tasmania in early November, a mark that would seem unlikely to win the Shootout. However, with four-time MVP Bryce Cotton playing, anything is possible for the Cats.

Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans, Friday January 17, Brisbane Entertainment Centre

The two Queensland rivals don’t necessarily need any extra juice injected into an already bitter feud, but things will go up a notch after the Taipans nominated the Bullets.

It has been a disjointed campaign for Adam Forde’s squad, who have battled a slew of injuries to key players. However, if the microwave Rob Edwards, and star guard Taran Armstrong, are playing, the plucky Taipans are capable of posting a high score.

The all-time record in the 40-minute era of the NBL. 🔥

James Batemon take a bow. pic.twitter.com/UXlhCjUaII

— CODE Basketball (@codebballau) November 17, 2024

South East Melbourne Phoenix v New Zealand Breakers, Saturday January 18, State Basketball Centre

Earlier in the season, the Phoenix looked to be a wise choice as a Shootout opponent. However, the team that was once 0-5 and last in the defensive metrics, is not the same team the Breakers will run into come January 18.

South East Melbourne has risen to fourth in defensive rating, just 0.1 points off equal-second. For New Zealand to have any chance of running up the score against them in the furnace of the State Basketball Centre, Parker Jackson-Cartwright will need to perform at his elite standards.

Cairns Taipans v Illawarra Hawks, Thursday January 23, Cairns Convention Centre

Justin Tatum’s high-flying Hawks were always going to be Summer Shootout favourites, no matter their opponent.

Illawarra possesses the league’s most potent offensive attack, ranking first in both points per game and offensive rating. The likes of Tyler Harvey and Trey Kell can explode on any given night, while Hyunjung Lee can get hot in a hurry.

South East Melbourne Phoenix v Tasmania JackJumpers, Saturday January 25, State Basketball Centre

Being the underdogs and having their backs against the wall is nothing new to the JackJumpers and that is exactly the predicament they face in the Summer Shootout.

Offence has been a struggle for the defending champions. Tasmania is last in key offensive measures and are posting just 78.9 points per game. Imports Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford haven’t fired consistently or efficiently, while the loss of Jack McVeigh has been immense.

Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets, Friday January 31, Adelaide Entertainment Centre

James Batemon holds the key to Brisbane’s Shootout hopes. He etched his name in the history books on Sunday, scoring 51-points, a record in the modern 40-minute era.

While nobody will be anticipating another half century, Batemon is the Bullets’ barometer. In wins he is posting 28.3 points per game while in losses that number dips dramatically to 7.7.

They’ve added legendary NBA pedigree to ownership and will boast four internationals in the FIBA window, but there’s a reality Brisbane Bullets coach Justin Schueller knows only too well — and he wants it to change.

✍ @MickRandallHShttps://t.co/A8IVpxZKlh

— CODE Basketball (@codebballau) November 16, 2024

Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix, Friday January 31, RAC Arena

The Shootout will end out west, where the Phoenix will look to pounce on a Wildcats defence that is vulnerable to giving up big performances.

Chris Goulding (46) and Batemon (51) have had historic scoring efforts against Perth, who have struggled to contain opponents who get hot, which bodes well for Matt Hurt. The South East Melbourne scoring machine averages 19.5 points and just put up 27 against the Wildcats, so a big game from him could lead to a Phoenix scoring outburst.

The Wildcats also allow the second most points, so expect the Shootout to come down to the very last game.

Originally published as United and 36ers set to face off again in NBL Summer Shootout blockbuster