Melbourne United needed a late run to navigate past an improved Adelaide, with Matthew Dellavedova and Chris Goulding arriving with clutch final-quarter shots in an 82-74 NBL win.
The visitors were hot favourites to go 2-0 in the NBL's opening weekend after defeating South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday.
But the 36ers, still licking their wounds after a Friday night loss in Brisbane, showed plenty to overcome an early 13-point margin and lead by four in the final term on Sunday.
United then scored 15 straight points, with Dellavedova (19 points, seven rebounds, four assists) and Goulding (19 points) finding their range and Shea Ili getting desperate in the crucial stretch.
Thinking the ball would bounce out, 36ers captain Mitch McCarron guarded it to the line only to see Ili fly by and fling a pass to Dellavedova.
He drilled the three-pointer with United's third shot of the possession as a game, locked up at three-quarter time, quickly turned the visitor's way.
German centre Ariel Hukporti (10 points on 80 per cent shooting, 10 rebounds, five blocks) was heavily involved at both ends of the floor early in the second half while Luke Travers (12 points, nine rebounds, four assists) backed up his 20-point haul on opening night.
United coach Dean Vickerman was critical of his side shooting too often.
They made just 10 of 42 three-point attempts but again rebounding hurt Adelaide as United collected 21 offensive boards and gave up 12.
"We're not clicking at that (offensive) end yet so it's nice to grind out a couple of wins," he said.
"There was a (defensive) lapse there I wasn't happy with and Adelaide were good enough to take advantage.
"We improved and Ariel was a huge one in taking care of the rim."
Earlier Jason Cadee (18 points, six assists) shook off his game-one rust with timely buckets to first negate a deficit and then put his side ahead.
Cadee shot one-of-nine against the Bullets while centre Kyrin Galloway was scoreless.
The pair were far more involved on Sunday, Galloway collecting nine rebounds and three blocks with his five points.
But Isaac Humphries and Jacob Wiley were well held after powering the side in their season opener.
"I was a bit disappointed with how I played the other night," Cadee said.
"I wasn't assertive enough and CJ's been on me ever since signing me.
"With our group we need other people to step up ... and make plays."
It gets no easier for the 36ers, who are yet to announce a replacement for dumped import Jamaal Franklin ahead of a Perth-Sydney road double next weekend.
