Five questions that will make or break Game 4

It’s the most emotionally charged game of the Championship Series, because unlike a Game 5 winner-take-all, Game 4 sees the mental battle become more important than what happens on the floor.

The Sydney Kings head into Adelaide knowing they’re just 40 minutes from a title. But with one eye on what comes after, the challenge is staying locked in on the job at hand.

On the flip side, the 36ers are fighting for their lives, as if right now there is no tomorrow. That makes a very dangerous team, yet potentially a nervous one as well.

Watch Game 4 live on ESPN and 10 Drama (Sydney and Adelaide) on Wednesday night at 7:30pm AEDT.

Let’s take a look at five big questions entering Game 4.

1. What treatment will Bryce get?

Mike Wells got on the front foot following the 36ers' Game 3 loss and put the heat back on the officiating crew to look after his superstar guard. Wells singled out the defensive assignment Matthew Dellavedova has been doing on Bryce Cotton and went as far as to say that zero fouls for the Kings veteran should be impossible.

Brian Goorjian returned serve, noting that Dellavedova has already proved he can do this the right way at the highest level, including guarding Steph Curry. The first two minutes of this game should paint a very interesting picture one way or another.

2. Will Kendric have the final say?

Kendric Davis has been the headline for the last month, for both positive and negative reasons. However, the Kings’ playmaker is 40 minutes away from backing up one of the most memorable sports quotes in recent times.

“Win something they can’t vote on,” he said following his disappointed reaction to finishing runner-up in the MVP voting to Cotton.

While Davis is clearly talking about winning a championship, he is also likely leading the Championship Series MVP race as it currently stands. He was simply outstanding in Game 3, producing one of the best individual performances we have ever seen.

3. Which supporting cast will step up?

In these big games, it usually comes down to the supporting cast as to who gets the upper hand. Both teams have shown they have enough weapons outside of their MVPs to inflict damage, and now they need to do it one more time.

For Adelaide, they’ve been at their best when Flynn Cameron and Zylan Cheatham are aggressive offensively. Not only does it help their offence click, but it also takes pressure off Cotton to carry the load for the full game. John Jenkins also came up big in the first half of Game 3 and will be hoping to stay hot.

For Sydney, they have numerous options, including former league MVP and Championship Series MVP Xavier Cooks. He’s been quietly going about his business this season and has been dominant on both ends. Torrey Craig and Jaylin Galloway are next in line, both having torched Adelaide from beyond the arc at different moments.

4. Who can come up with the most effort plays?

While it may not be the prettiest part of the game, the little one percenters can be the difference in the final outcome. Whether it’s diving on the floor, crashing the offensive glass, or creating extra possessions, it all adds up.

For Adelaide, that might even mean setting big, solid screens to give Cotton more space. For Sydney, it could be drawing charges on a rolling big man.

So often, a game like this comes down to who wants it more and who is willing to sacrifice on every possession.

5. Will we break the sound barrier?

Qudos Bank Arena was electric in Game 3, as an NBL record crowd packed in to watch the Kings take the series lead. Now, it’s Adelaide’s turn.

While the Adelaide Entertainment Centre might not hold as many as Qudos, its layout can be even more intimidating when the sound echoes from wall to wall.

36ers fans found their public enemy number one in their series against the Phoenix, targeting Nathan Sobey on every touch. This time, they have Davis in their sights, and it could be one of the most hostile environments the Kings’ young guard has ever walked into.

Watch Game 4 live on ESPN and 10 Drama (Sydney and Adelaide) on Wednesday night at 7:30pm AEDT.