The hopes of Kai Sotto and Adelaide to enter the next round of the 2022-23 National Basketball League-Australia season are in danger.
Melbourne dealt the 36ers a heartbreaking 94-87 loss, Saturday at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The 36ers dropped to 11-14 – down to eighth place in the league. Melbourne, meanwhile, went up to 14-12 for sixth.
Only six teams will advance to the next round.
Sotto tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, and a block but only played 17 minutes in the contest.
With the game tied at 76-all midway through the final frame, Xavier Rathan-Mayes triggered an 11-0 blast to turn back the home team.
Sotto stopped the 36ers bleeding with a jumper but was subbed out afterwards.
Robert Franks and Antonius Cleveland were able to cut the lead to just two, 87-89, with 1:55 left but Rayjon Tucker did not allow a comeback to happen.
Chris Goulding led the way for the United with 28 points while Tucker tallied 25 points and 10 boards. Rathan-Mayes added 20 points from off the bench as well.
Franks led Adelaide with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Sunday Dech and Anthony Drmic chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Adelaide will have a nine-day break before facing Cairns at Cairns Convention Centre.
