Emotion vs execution: Adelaide’s Game 5 challenge

Through the first four games of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series, Sydney has dominated numerous statistical categories against Adelaide.

They have a +54 points differential through those four games, while the Kings have led for one hour, 53 minutes, and 18 seconds, compared to just 34 minutes and 10 seconds for the Sixers.

Despite all that, there’s only one stat that really matters heading into Game 5, and that’s the fact that the Series is 2-2.

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Sunday will be the third backs-against-the-wall game the 36ers have played during these NBL Finals, and three-time champion Chris Anstey believes that brings out the best in the team from the City of Churches.

“Adelaide play their best basketball when they are emotional and when that emotion’s channelled in a positive way,” two-time MVP Chris Anstey said on Saturday’s episode of NBL Now.

“The challenge for them is going to be to find that level of positive energy, positive emotion at Qudos Bank Arena, because it’s a much harder thing to find on the road.

“But Adelaide has become a different team because Sydney, all of a sudden, has to defend five positions on the floor.”

While the 36ers, who had all five starters score in double-figures in Game 4, carry momentum into Sunday’s sudden-death decider, Anstey knows the Kings, particularly Torrey Craig after his missed free-throw at the death of Game 4, will be keen to exact revenge.

“When champion players have moments like that, they can’t wait for the next game to make amends,” Anstey said.

Sunday also marks the fourth straight season the Championship Series has gone to a Game 5, highlighting the intense nature and drama that’s set to unfold at Qudos Bank Arena.

Despite that, dual Olympian Anstey shut down claims that pressure will get the better of the players, rather looking forward to who can rise to the occasion and grab the trophy with both hands.

“If you ask any team in a Game 5 Championship Series, pressure’s not real. It doesn’t exist,” Anstey said.

“Whoever wins Game 5 [will be because they’re coached better [and simply played better].”

Game 5 of the Championship Series tips off at 2.30pm AEST on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, live on ESPN and 10.

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