DJ Vasiljevic's huge final quarter has helped the Adelaide 36ers underline their NBL title credentials with a rollicking 94-81 road win over fellow contenders South East Melbourne.
Vasiljevic (22 points) exploded at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, lifting the second-placed Sixers (11-3) to a fourth straight victory.
The sharpshooter landed 6-of-9 three-point attempts, pouring in five triples and 17 points in the fourth quarter alone when the game was on the line.
Vasiljevic has been moved out of the starting line-up in recent weeks and played only a handful of minutes in the first half, but showed his true value as Adelaide's match-winner.
"It's frustrating but I know what I can do and you stay a professional," Vasiljevic said.
"You come out here and as long as you get the win, that's all that matters."
Just three days after an emotional Bryce Cotton fired Adelaide to victory over Illawarra, the American-born champion had 19 points and nine assists.
Cotton was limited to just six points to half-time but sprung to life with 10 points in the third quarter as the Sixers outscored their opponents 57-38 in the second half.
American forward Zylan Cheatham (15 points, 16 rebounds) was also influential and provided a huge highlight with his one-handed put-back dunk in the fourth quarter.
It was another failure for third-placed SEM (9-4) against one of the top two sides.
They now have two losses each against Melbourne United and Adelaide this season, and are yet to beat either of of their main title rivals.
Nathan Sobey (26 points), Jordan Hunter (20 points, 12 rebounds) and John Brown (16) top-scored for the Phoenix, who had led by as much as 11 points before half-time.
SEM coach Josh King used just eight players - with injured pair Hunter Maldonado and Malique Lewis still sidelined - and felt his team tired down the stretch.
"We didn't lead it when it counts the most and that's credit to them, but I thought we ran out of gas at some point there in the fourth quarter," King said.
"Offensive rebounds, second-chance points and some miscues on our end where DJ (Vasiljevic) got loose and got hot.
"But I thought we did a solid job on Bryce (Cotton) - Wes (Iwundu) did a really nice job - and there were some good things there.
"This is part of our process and our journey in the season and we'll get better from this."
Hunter was lucky to escape largely unscathed after a heavy fall late in the first half.
He flew over the top of opponents Cheatham and Matt Kenyon to tip the ball in, giving the Phoenix a 43-37 lead at the main break.
But he crashed to the floor and was subbed out for the remaining few seconds of the half.
Cotton contributed 10 of the Sixers' 30 points in the third-quarter, as the visitors turned for home with a 67-64 advantage.
Cheatham's huge dunk gave the Sixers big momentum and they powered clear for a big win, with Vasiljevic sealing the result when he caught fire late.
