The ejection of star Nathan Sobey didn't stop the Adelaide 36ers from rolling to a 111-87 NBL rout of the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on Sunday.
Sobey (15 points) was automatically banished from the game after receiving his second technical foul with Adelaide ahead by two late in the third quarter.
The Sixers quickly regrouped, taking a 76-72 lead into the final period and dominating the Hawks down the stretch.
Adelaide's win assures them of finishing second on the ladder - behind minor premiers Melbourne United - and home court advantage in a best-of-three semi-final series with either New Zealand or Perth.
"We were facing adversity when it was 71-71 and a lot of things were going wrong for us, but it was good to see the guys hold their composure and play through some tough moments and get the W," Sixers coach Joey Wright said.
"I didn't like the way we started the game but we responded well. We expected them to make a run at us so it was good to play through that.
"We're a better ball club than we were last year because of our depth."
Daniel Johnson top-scored for the Sixers with 21 points, American guard Shannon Shorter was outstanding with 20 and Mitch Creek finished with 16.
NBL MVP favourite Demitrius Conger led the Hawks with 27, while Mitch Norton and Tim Coenraad had 15 points apiece.
Second-placed Adelaide's record stands at 17-10 heading into next week's final-round home game against Brisbane.
The Hawks jumped to a 16-10 lead, prompting 36ers coach Joey Wright to call an early time-out and vent his anger at his team's sloppy start.
The Sixers responded with renewed aggression to forge ahead, but Illawarra forward Tim Coenraad scored 12 points off the bench to put his side in front 32-29 at quarter-time.
Shorter led a balanced attack, as the visitors regained control and pushed the margin up to 10 late in the second period. He had a team-high 13 points at halftime and Adelaide held a 57-48 lead.
The Hawks fought back in the third quarter before being dismantled in the final period.
"Adelaide's had our number this season. We've faced them four times and I haven't really had any answers for them," Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge said.
"We fought hard but they made big shots in the fourth quarter and we couldn't go with them.
"I don't know who will win the championship but they've certainly got all the pieces."
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