Sixers storm into NBL grand final

How sweet it is: Adelaide 36ers celebrate after their 39-point semi-final win over Melbourne Tigers. Picture: Morne de Klerk. Source: Morne de Klerk / Getty Images

ADELAIDE has stormed into its first NBL grand final series in 12 years with an emphatic Game Three 102-63 rout of Melbourne at a raucous and relentlessly loud Adelaide Arena.

From tip-off, the 4024 sounded more like 10,000, creating the most hostile environment seen at the venue since the nonstop 1993 avalanche heaped on another Melbourne Tiger, Mark Bradtke.

But this time all the ire, hostility and venom was aimed at Tigers star scorer Chris Goulding, identified by the crowd as the villain in Game Two's incident which cost Gary Ervin a one-game suspension and $7500 fine.

Completely rattled and unable to cope with the constant jeering, Goulding, Melbourne's 37-point hero of Game Two, was kept to six points on 1-of-5 shooting and three turnovers until coach Chris Anstey mercifully subbed him out with 7:36 left.

Sixers captain Adam Gibson led superbly against Melbourne Tigers. Picture: Morne de Klerk.

By then, Adelaide was ahead 85-48 and into its first grand final since winning the championship in 2002.

The 36ers will play Game One against the Perth Wildcats at The Jungle on Monday before the best-of-three championship returns to Adelaide Arena for Friday-week's Game Two.

"That crowd was unbelievable," said Sixers coach Joey Wright, who became the second coach in league history to drag a club from last into a grand final.

Coach Joey Wright talks to his players during the commanding performance against Melbourne. Picture: Morne de Klerk.

The 36ers simply were magnificent, captain Adam Gibson leading with outstanding defensive hustle and pressure on Goulding and pairing nine points with eight rebounds.

Daniel Johnson led all scorers with 23 points, Jason Cadee with 19 and a 13-point third period which tore the heart from the already beaten Tigers.

BJ Anthony relished his 14 minutes with seven boards and eight points as the 36ers found winners everywhere and were given a standing ovation to close each quarter.

The triumphant Adelaide 36ers, including captain Adam Gibson, thank the crowd after the big win. Picture: Morne de Klerk.

Adelaide broke away late in the first quarter on a Rhys Carter three, then never relented as Melbourne's big men sank deeper into foul trouble, trailing 27-49 by halftime.

"You get conditioned to drown out the crowd but I could hear them tonight," Wright said, the fans unquestionably dismantling Goulding and with him, Melbourne.

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