Davis, Trez lead 36ers to back-to-back wins

• 36ers win second straight, blow out Melbourne United by 19
• Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell both drop 28
• Chris Goulding leads United with 18 points

The Adelaide 36ers dismantled Melbourne United 100-81 (Game Centre) in round 15 of NBL25 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

The 36ers, led by standout performances from imports Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell, seized control early and never relinquished their grip, sending a clear message to the rest of the National Basketball League — they're back!

From the opening tip, Adelaide set the tone with an aggressive defensive effort that stymied Melbourne's offensive rhythm. The 36ers raced out to a 27-17 lead after the first quarter, fuelled by Davis's pinpoint passing and Harrell's forceful presence in the paint. Adelaide continued to build on their advantage, with their lead ballooning to as much as 19 points.

Melbourne United struggled to find their footing despite and efficient night by Chris Goulding, who finished with 18 points, in 26 minutes.

But United could not overcome their poor shooting night, connecting on just 36% of their field goal attempts. The visitors' woes were compounded by their inability to protect the ball, committing 17 turnovers which Adelaide converted into 22 points.

The statistical disparity told the story of the game. Adelaide's efficiency was evident in their 45% field goal percentage, compared to Melbourne's 36%. The 36ers also dominated the turnover battle, committing just six to United's 17, which proved to be a crucial factor in the lopsided result.

Kendric Davis emerged as the catalyst for Adelaide's second straight win, delivering a superb all-around performance with 28 points and 11 assists. His ability to orchestrate the offence while also shouldering a significant scoring load exemplified his credentials as one of the league's best point guards.

Davis's backcourt partner, Dejan Vasiljevic, provided excellent support with 19 points, including four three-pointers that helped keep Melbourne at bay.

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell matched Davis's 28 points while pulling down nine rebounds and swatting away three shots. Harrell's energy and intensity set the standard for his teammates, as he bullied his way to the basket time and again, shooting an efficient 10-from-18 from the field.

Adelaide move to 9-11 while Melbourne United stay in second at 13-9 on points differential with the Sydney Kings.