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THE NBL's undisputed 2026 MVP, Bryce Cotton, compiled a whopping 109 points in Adelaide's three-game advance to the best-of-five Grand Finals, in the process eliminating South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. But Dejan Vasiljevic's contribution was inestimable.

While Cotton was blowing the Phoenix off the floor with another 38-point haul at 50 per cent, also grabbing six rebounds and dishing seven assists, Vasiljevic was playing Robin to his Batman with 27 points at 62 per cent.

Inserted into the starting line-up after 36ers coach Mike Wells ran out of patience with failed experiment John Jenkins, he responded in the best way possible, playing easily his best game of the season.

It wasn't just Vasiljevic's shooting, and he was striking the threeballs at 60 per cent, but also his smart play - knowing when to foul, to bump, to exaggerate, to remind everyone that yes, he too is a player.

In closing out the best-of-three semi final, Cotton was an irresistible offensive force, albeit with some over-acting and six turnovers, one more than South East Melbourne.

But while the Phoenix's ability to look after the ball was impeccable, its shooting and up-the-floor pressure was nowhere near the level which secured it Game 2 and forced this decider.

From tip-off and at every - that's EVERY - opportunity, the Entertainment Centre crowd booed,  jeered,verbally harassed and hounded Game 2 Phoenix hero Nathan Sobey and it definitely was a factor.

His biggest cheers came whenever he missed, and at 6-of-18 that was often, the four times he was called for a foul and for each of his three turnovers.

The 36ers fans were relentless, having previously enjoyed success similarly debilitating opponents, from Shane Heal to Chris Goulding to Mark Bradtke.

Pretty much from start to finish, Adelaide had control of the contest. Isaac Humphries (13 points at 83 per cent) was not overlooked or forgotten this time, Zylan Cheatham stocked 13 rebounds next to his seven points and five assists, and Nick Rakocevic continued to be the 36ers' wildcard, pairing 14 points at 60 per cent with 12 rebounds.

Big Nick has been quite the playoffs revelation.

There were a mere four lead changes early before Adelaide scooted away, leading by as many as 21 points and not of a mind to ever surrender the advantage.

To its eternal credit and despite considerable "insult-to-injury" via some of the defecating officiating on display, South East fought to the finish and even threatened at times.

But a threat was all it ever was, Ian Clark (32 points at 72 per cent with 5-of-7 threes) the Phoenix's only reliable scoring avenue. Owen Foxwell endured a forgettable series and Angus Glover was off the boil in Game 3 at a time South east needed all hands on deck.

Adelaide now will face Sydney for the championship from Saturday in what should be an absolute cracker series between the season's two best teams.

NBL PLAYOFFS 2026

Best-of-3 Semi Finals

1 v 4

Game 1: Sydney Kings 105 (Davis 35, Craig 20, Dellavedova 11, Cooks 10; Craig 9 rebs; Davis 6 assts) d Perth Wildcats 104 (Doolittle 31, Duke 20, Lual-Acuil 19, Windler 17, Pepper 12; Lual-Acuil 12 rebs; Duke 8 assts) at Qudos Bank Arena. Crowd: 10,132

Game 2: Sydney Kings 89 (Davis 27, Maluach 23, Craig 12, Dellavedova 11; Maluach 8 rebs; Dellavedova, Davis 5 assts) d Perth Wildcats 75 (Henshall 20, Doolittle 15, Pepper 12; Lual-Acuil 14 rebs; Duke 5 assts) at RAC Arena. Crowd: 9,711 Sydney wins 2-0, advances to Championship Series

2 v 3

Game 1: Adelaide 36ers 104 (Cotton 42, Vasiljevic 17, Rakocevic 14, Cheatham 13; Rakocevic 10 rebs; Flynn, Cheatham, Cotton 5 assts) d South East Melbourne Phoenix 97 (Sobey 23, Glover, Hunter 14, Clark 12; Sobey 10 rebs; Sobey 7 assts) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 10,055

Game 2: South East Melbourne Phoenix 101 (Sobey 41, Brown 12, Glover, Clark 10; Brown 7 rebs; Foxwell 7 assts) d Adelaide 36ers 92 (Cotton 29, Rakocevic 18, Vasiljevic 14, Cheatham 12; Rakocevic 10 rebs; Cameron 8 assts) at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 5,600 Series tied 1-1

Game 3: Adelaide 36ers 108 (Cotton 38, Vasiljevic 27, Rakocevic 14, Humphries 13; Cheatham 13 rebs; Cotton 7 assts) d South East Melbourne Phoenix 96 (Clark 32, Sobey 17, Hunter 10; Brown 10 rebs; Sobey 8 assts) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Crowd: NG Adelaide wins 2-1, advances to Championship Series

CHAMPIONSHIP (Best-of-5 Grand Finals) Sydney v Adelaide

Game 1: Saturday, Qudos Bank Arena

Game 2: Friday-week, Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Game 3: Sunday-week, Qudos Bank Arena

Game 4 (If required): Wednesday, April 1, Adelaide Entertainment Centre