The nbl Championship Series reaches Game 5 on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, where Zylan Cheatham says Adelaide must block out the noise and stay locked in. More than 18, 000 fans are expected for the decider, with Sydney’s home dominance in the series making the Kings the clear favourites. Cheatham says the result will be decided on the court, not in the stands, as Adelaide chases its first championship in 24 years.
Cheatham backs Adelaide to handle the pressure
Cheatham said the atmosphere is likely to be intense, but insisted the crowd cannot influence the outcome once play begins. He said Adelaide’s approach has not changed and that the group must trust its plan, avoid distractions and focus on execution in the final game. The nbl star also said he would value nothing more than winning his first professional title with Adelaide.
“It is going to be a hostile environment, but at the end of the day the crowd can’t play for them (Sydney), ” Cheatham told CODE Sports. “It’s the same thing we’ve been doing all season, believe in ourselves and go in with a big game plan. We can’t get caught up in all the outside distractions. ”
Form points to a key battle in Game 5
Cheatham has arrived in strong form over the past two games, posting a near triple-double in Game 4 and a double-double in Game 3. That recent output has given Adelaide a clear reason for confidence heading into the decisive match. Still, Sydney’s run of home dominance in the series is a major factor as the final chapter of the nbl Championship Series is set to be played before a packed arena.
The matchup also carries wider attention because of the Cotton-Davis rivalry, which has been described as having gone global ahead of the decider. That added spotlight places even more pressure on both sides as the title race reaches its final minutes.
What the result means for Adelaide
For Adelaide, the stakes are simple: end a long championship drought and finish the job after pushing the series to Game 5. Cheatham, who is still without a professional title, has framed the night as a chance to complete the season with one defining result. The nbl decider therefore becomes both a test of nerves and a test of discipline.
Cheatham said the group knows it must keep its attention on the task in front of it, not the size of the occasion. “I’ve had a little bit of success in these last few games, but it means nothing if we don’t finish it, ” he said.
Quick context and what comes next
Sunday’s Game 5 is the latest and final step in a Championship Series that has already built to a high-pressure finish. Sydney will have the home crowd and the momentum of a strong series record at Qudos Bank Arena, while Adelaide arrives determined to upset that script.
The game is scheduled for Sunday and will be shown live from 2: 30pm AEST. If Adelaide can hold its nerve, the nbl title race could end with a breakthrough moment that has been 24 years in the making.
