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Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United NBL26 Round 12 Tips - Adelaide solidify their spot at the top
The Adelaide 36ers are set to face Melbourne United in a highly-anticipated match in Round 12 of the NBL25. Adelaide, the league's new leader, capitalizes on United's recent form, leveraging a strong defense. With the star performance from Zylan Cheatham, supported by MVP Bryce Cotton, the 36ers aim to maintain their lead. Melbourne, recovering from two recent losses, seeks to regain their dominance. The match promises a tight defensive battle with Cheatham expected to score 15+ points. Expert tips suggest betting on Adelaide and the under.
- Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United expert predictions for Friday’s Round 12 NBL matchup
- Tip-off is at 7:30 PM AEDT at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
- Expect a defensive clash with standout player Zylan Cheatham scoring consistently.
- Adelaide boasts a strong 7-2 home record, holding opponents to 85.1 PPG.
Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United NBL26 Round 12 Tips
Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United NBL25 Round 12 Expert Tips
A top of the table clash that won’t disappoint on Friday night as the new league leaders Adelaide take on Melbourne United, who have been on the top of the perch for the first 10 rounds of the NBL season.
- Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United NBL25 Round 12 Expert Tips
- Head to Head
- Adelaide 36ers Form & Team News
- Melbourne United Form & Team News
- Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United Frequently Asked Questions
I’m expecting another nailbiter, just as the 81-80 victory to Melbourne in the first edition of this clash in NBL26. It is really splitting hairs between these two, but you have to respect Adelaide’s for and the fact that United went 0-2 in Round 11 to let the lead in the competition slip.
Both of these teams are at their best this season when they are locking down defensively and that is what I am banking on in this contest, another tight defensive battle that is not going to give up anything to their opposition.
The guards will facilitate but this one will be a battle in the paint between the bigs and there is no one in better form than Zylan Cheatham who is getting fed by MVP Bryce Cotton all day long. Expect another 15 points from the 36ers power forward.
- Adelaide are 7-2 as the home team this season
- Adelaide games are 6-10 to the Under in NBL26.
- The last match between Melbourne and Adelaide had just 161 points.
- Zylan Cheatham has had 15 points in 5 of his last 6 matches.
Head to Head
Last 5 Match Results
| Date | Home Team | Score | Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26/10/2025 | MEL | MEL 81-80 | ADE +5.5 | U 184.5 |
| 04/01/2025 | ADE | ADE 100-81 | ADE +4.0 | U 202.0 |
| 17/11/2024 | MEL | MEL 113-93 | MEL -4.0 | O 181.0 |
| 13/10/2024 | MEL | MEL 106-79 | MEL -5.0 | O 184.0 |
| 06/01/2024 | ADE | ADE 100-96 | ADE +9.0 | O 182.5 |
Offensive & Defensive Rankings
| ADE Off | Rank | Stat | Rank | MEL Def |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91.9 | 3 | PPG | 5 | 87.9 |
| 40.9 | 7 | RPG | 1 | 40 |
| 45.9% | 3 | FG% | 4 | 44.6% |
| 34.3% | 2 | 3P% | 10 | 38.4% |
| 9.8 | 2 | TOV | 2 | 14.4 |
| ADE Def | Rank | Stat | Rank | MEL Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85.1 | 1 | PPG | 2 | 95.9 |
| 40.9 | 2 | RPG | 4 | 42.9 |
| 44.3% | 3 | FG% | 5 | 45.3% |
| 30.9% | 3 | 3P% | 4 | 33.0% |
| 11.1 | 6 | TOV | 5 | 11.8 |
Adelaide 36ers Form & Team News
Wild scenes for Bryce Cotton in his return to Perth with the 36ers going on a 19-2 run in the fourth quarter to send their leader back home to Adelaide as a winner after an emotional evening for the 5-time MVP at RAC Arena.
Issac Humphries got a late block on Doolittle and Flynn Cameron took it to the hole for a layup to hand Adelaide a 95-94 lead, shutting down a final second attack by Perth to win the match.
The performance was one of the best by the 36ers this season. With Cotton on board and Zylan Cheatham, Humphries, Cameron and Vasiljevic all playing their rolls, the 36ers are in it to win it in NBL26.
Adelaide are a top-three team in most key statistics at both ends of the court, but the most impressive is their defensive attitude that is shutting down their opponents and holding them to a league-best 85.1 points per game.
Melbourne United Form & Team News
United have relinquished the lead at the top of the NBL Ladder after two losses in Round 11, with their Round 12 opponents Adelaide occupying first place in the league.
Melbourne were stunned in the first quarter of the match at RAC Arena against the Wildcats, trailing by 13 at the first break with Perth extending the margin in the following two quarters to maintain complete control of the contest, giving nothing to United. So much nothing that Chris Goulding finished with 0 points from 6 attempts in 16 minutes of the match.
It didn’t get better for United, flat again in the opening half of the Throwdown, trailing the Phoenix by 15 at the half and losing every quarter of the match to go down to little brother by 25 points.
It certainly isn’t panic stations in Melbourne and a slump after the break might have been expected considering Dean Vickerman was away on international duties coaching the Boomers.
Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United start?
Tip-off between Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United is at 7:30 PM AEDT, Friday, December 12
What channel is Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United on?
You can watch Adelaide 36ers vs Melbourne United on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.
Verdict
This will be a tight contest with defence at the forefront. Adelaide to win and the under to hit, with Zylan Cheatham scoring 15+ for the 36ers.
Adelaide 36ers
Money Line
$1.68 - 3 Units
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Under 183.5
Game Total
$1.91 - 2 Units
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Zylan Cheatham
15+ Player Points
$1.75 - 1 Unit
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