A little less than a year after being wiped out of last season's title race, Adelaide put the Illawarra Hawks finals hopes on life support with a merciless 112-90 win on Friday night.

A stunning victory moved the fourth-placed 36ers to 14-8 on the season and consigned playoff hopefuls Illawarra to a 9-11 record with seven rounds remaining.

While the two teams meet again on Sunday in Wollongong, Illawarra now look at long odds to make the post-season after the loss.

They were denied by a flawless team performance by the hosts.

Talented guard Nathan Sobey led the charge with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists in sensational return to form.

Veteran Daniel Johnson had a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) while Josh Childress (14 points) and Ramone Moore (12 points) both piled on the points.

Hawks import Rotnei Clarke (17 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer but finished 0-7 from three-point range.

MVP hopeful Demitrius Conger had 16 points and Tim Coenraad (15 points) did his best to inspire his teammates from the bench on a night forget.

But the writing was on the wall early on.

Former NBA big man Childress fired away from downtown, hitting his first two shots from three-point range inside two and a half minutes.

Johnson was just as productive inside to help the hosts to a 14-11 early lead.

Defence was optional at both ends as the 36ers took control to hold a 32-25 at the first break.

Johnson hit a lay-up two minutes into the second quarter to give the Adelaide their first double-digit lead of the evening.

When he drained one from downtown late in the quarter that advantage was 18 points.

The hosts continued to pile on the points in the second half, with Shorter (10 points) and bench weapon Moore both hitting easy baskets.

Sixers skipper Mitch Creek hit one of two from the foul line to help the hosts to an unassailable 89-65 lead at the final change,

It was Sobey’s own personal party in the fourth as the Sixers stormed to a 22-point victory.

Tip-off is 5pm when the two teams meet again on Sunday at WIN Entertainment Centre.