The Adelaide 36ers have advanced to their first NBL grand final in eight years after a commanding 108-96 victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Game 3 of their playoff series. Bryce Cotton, the standout offseason recruit, delivered an impressive performance, scoring 38 points and averaging 36.3 points throughout the semi-final series, which the 36ers won 2-1. Captain Dejan Vasiljevic also contributed significantly, adding 27 points, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Coach Mike Wells praised his team's toughness, highlighting their dominance on the boards with a 52-31 advantage in rebounds.
The game began with the 36ers asserting themselves early, leading 28-17 at the end of the first quarter. Vasiljevic's back-to-back three-pointers ignited the second period, and Cotton's shooting prowess extended the lead to 37-17. Despite the Phoenix's Ian Clark scoring 32 points, the 36ers maintained control, leading 59-45 at halftime. In the third quarter, Clark's quick eight-point run narrowed the gap to 68-60, but Cotton quickly responded, pushing the lead back to 83-64 by the end of the quarter. The 36ers' dynamic duo of Cotton and Vasiljevic proved too much for the Phoenix, securing their spot in the grand final against Sydney, set to begin on Saturday.