Gleeson's blunt verdict: 36ers played 'scared'

Adelaide 36ers coach Trevor Gleeson didn't hold back in his assessment of his side's performance against Melbourne, saying it played "scared" in the first half and was "outworked" by the visiting United.

The 96-91 loss at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre was the Sixers' third in a row, a run of defeats the reigning runners-up avoided for the entirety of NBL26.

United led by 10 at quarter-time, 18 at half-time and 17 at three-quarter time. The 36ers clawed back to within three in the final minutes, before a Cole Anthony triple ended their hopes.

"It was two different teams," Gleeson said of a side that was flat before half-time and fearless after it.

"The second half was outstanding, just the intensity on defence. We didn't have that in the first half and they're [Melbourne] scoring at will.

"If we don't work hard enough, we haven't got a shot here at winning, especially, you know, we're down limited bodies. We got outworked at home."

With Flynn Cameron (ankle) and Isaac Humphries (knee) still sidelined, Gleeson said his team was too hesitant early.

"You can't be scared of losing," he said.

"I thought we were scared in the first half of making a mistake. You've got to go at them. Second half, we weren't worried about the result. We were just getting out there and playing."

Despite his frustration, the five-time championship coach was proud of how his team responded, storming home late and almost recording a famous victory.

"Could have easily gone a different direction, fought back from 20 down, got it to a one-possession game," Gleeson said.

"I love that fighting spirit, but it wasn't long enough for four quarters."

Perhaps the biggest concern is how few players are hitting the scoreboard. Nick Rakocevic and Bryce Cotton scored 33 points each, combining for 66 of Adelaide's 91. The rest of the roster managed just 25.

"Nick has been outstanding in the last month. Bryce is, you know, MVP for a reason," Gleeson said.

"But we need other guys to step up. We can't rely on Bryce and Nick every day to get 30 points."

Rakocevic, who added 14 rebounds to his 33 points, said the fight late in the game was something to build on.

"The second half was incredible. You know, the fight, to come back, to not quit on each other, to hold people accountable," he said.

"If we play like that second half, you know, it's a different story for us."

Adelaide heads to Sydney on Sunday for a Championship Series rematch with the Kings, who ended the Sixers' season last year with an overtime win in a Game 5 classic.