{"id":494942,"date":"2026-02-21T15:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T15:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/494942\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T15:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T15:53:10","slug":"cheathams-added-edge-in-high-stakes-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/494942\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheatham\u2019s added edge in high-stakes Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a top-two spot locked in for the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL26 Finals, the Adelaide 36ers will now shift their focus to Sunday\u2019s Ignite Cup Final on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

The first ever Final will present both teams the chance to take home silverware, as well as the majority of the competition\u2019s largest-ever proze poll ($400,000).<\/p>\n

The importance of the fixture isn\u2019t lost on current Sixers forward Zylan Cheatham, especially going up against his former team New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a little bit different on Sunday just because there’s something at stake, but we have to focus on playing our way and doing the right things, which will give ourselves a chance,\u201d Cheatham said in Friday\u2019s post-game press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, playing for money is an incentive and credit to our guys for being in this position to compete for it, but now we want to finish off what we started.<\/p>\n

\u201cSunday’s not only good for the money, but good for us to play in a single elimination game like that as preparation for the Playoffs so it’s an advantage for us for sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ll be ready for whatever New Zealand will throw at us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have some added incentive given it’s my old team and I have some friends that are still there, so I want to get those bragging rights too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Cheatham\u2019s coach Mike Wells echoed his thoughts, explaining his team intend to make the most of this opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in the NBA when the NBA Cup started and I know that guys always like to compete, even more so if money’s on the line,\u201d Well said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the Ignite Cup is a fantastic concept and it’s important for us to try and win the first one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re excited to play and the main thing is that I want us to win on Sunday, because our players and support staff deserve some extra money and I want them to get that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The inaugural NBL Ignite Cup Final between Adelaide and New Zealand tips off at 4.30pm (3.30pm local)\u00a0AEDT on Sunday, live on ESPN and Channel 10.<\/p>\n

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