Both the North Adelaide Rockets and the Sturt Sabres knew they would be facing each other in next week's elimination final but the venue was still to be determined with the winner hosting the match.

Aric Miller (38 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, six steals) put in another outstanding performance to guide the North Adelaide Rockets to an 82-74 win over the Sturt Sabres as both teams prepare to face off for the second time in as many weeks.

An intense contest ensued with neither team able to break away from each other as the largest gap was five points in the first half. Sturt's CJ Reed (15 points, four assists) and Dylan Rawson (19 points, nine rebounds) were able to match Miller's scoring output.

Both teams continued to trade baskets after the major break until the Rockets started to pull away towards the end of the third quarter. Luke Mapunda (12 points, nine rebounds, five assists) and Miller both made shots from deep to take the lead from three to a 10 point advantage for the home side with one quarter to play.

North extended their lead in the final quarter and looked to be on course for an easy win but a late game surge from Sturt gave the Rockets something to think about.

A baffling unsportsmanlike foul was called on Miller which led to Rawson making three of four foul shots and then getting to the basket for two more on the following possession. The Rocket's lead down to four with 1:51 to play.

Miller responded with a three, his seventh on the night, and as the Sabres trapped and tried to force a turnover the Rockets broke it and secured victory with Adam Schild finishing the game with a wide open dunk and cheers from the North Adelaide crowd.