Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Wells has rejected Sydney Kings rival Brian Goorjian's accusations of showing disrespect to Matthew Dellavedova following criticism of the Boomer legend's defence during their thrilling NBL championship series.
The Sixers levelled the series 2-2 with a heart-stopping 92-91 victory in game four at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.
Four-time Olympian Dellavedova wasn't whistled once in the third game in Sydney, and was called for his only foul of the fourth game with one minute left - which Bryce Cotton converted at the free-throw line for the 26th and final lead change.
Wells had been highly critical of the referee's non-calling of the famously physical Dellavedova after the Kings' game-three victory on Sunday.
That earned a strong rebuke from Kings coach Brian Goorjian, who on Tuesday morning radio labelled Wells' comments "weak" and showing "disrespect" to an "Australian icon".
"I want to just be really clear ... my comments about the so-called way I viewed the game was not disrespectful to Matthew Dellavedova in any way," Wells insisted.
"I have a ton of respect for him, what he's done and what he means for everybody.
"I was just fighting for my team and my guys. It's not disrespectful in any way."
But following his side's nail-biting defeat in Adelaide, Goorjian doubled down on his views on Wells' comments.
"There was a lot of talk coming into this," the six-time NBL championship-winning coach said.
"I made voice, I felt that was inappropriate.
"I felt we had the quality refs on the game tonight.
"I don't think they took anything in from what was said.
"They refereed a good game."
Both the Sixers' victories in this series have come at home and been decided in the dying seconds.
The Kings' wins, also both at home, have been by 44 and 13 points.
The best-of-five series will conclude at Sydney's Qudos Bank on Easter Sunday.
"I think we've got the city behind us," said Goorjian.
"I'm expecting a great crowd and great environment.
"I didn't think we did anything tonight that anybody back home would be disappointed with."
Wells is confident his team can buck the trend on enemy soil and secure the 36ers' first title in 24 years.
"We believe that we can go to Sydney and win," he said.
"It's time for somebody to break the home-court winning streak."
