Bulla Recap: United overcome the Wildcats, take 2-0 lead in Grand Final

Melbourne United is just one win away from the 2021 NBL Championship after claiming Game Two of their Grand Final Series against the Perth Wildcats on Sunday evening at RAC Arena.

United now heads home to Melbourne in a powerful position, boasting a 2-0 series lead and knowing that all remaining games will be played at John Cain Arena.

Melbourne, it’s time to unite!

It was a shoot-out to begin the game as Will Magnay and John Mooney hit back-to-back threes for the Wildcats, but the response was immediate from United with Jock Landale and Chris Goulding hitting triples to level the scores.

After that initial burst of offence, Melbourne fell behind as Todd Blanchfield and Kevin White got going to see Perth leading by six points, 17-11, with four minutes to play in the opening term.

Yudai Baba, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and David Barlow hit shots when they entered the game, but White continued to connect from deep as he drained three long-range shots in the first quarter to have the Wildcats leading by 10 points, 28-18, at the first break.

United was a different team after quarter-time and came out with much more energy. Shea Ili and Scotty Hopson connected on shots, while Lual-Acuil Jr. scored twice to have Melbourne right back in the game, 28-26, thanks to an 8-0 run.

Corey Shervill finally broke the scoring drought for Perth more than three into the term, but Melbourne continued to push as Goulding hit five free throws within 90 seconds to give United the lead, 34-32, halfway through the term.

After Melbourne went on a 16-4 run to start the quarter, Perth responded with a run of their own as Mooney started to get busy. A 9-0 Wildcat run had the home team leading by seven points, 41-34, with just over two minutes to play in the first half.

Mitch McCarron, who had been dishing assists all over the place, made a hustle play which eventually led to a Baba triple. Baba wasn’t done though.

In what was the highlight of the game, Baba drained an incredible, buzzer-beater triple from beyond half-court that absolutely silenced the Perth crowd and levelled the scores at the main break, 42-42.

Baba was a huge factor in the first half, leading all scorers with 11 points, while Goulding (8 points) was also important. Mooney and White (9 points each) led the way for Perth.

Blanchfield and Mooney got the Wildcats going early in the third quarter, but a signature Goulding stepback triple, followed by McCarron forcing a turnover on the in-bound pass turned things around.

McCarron then scored from a jump shot and with United’s defence absolutely buzzing, Baba grabbed a steal and finished the fastbreak with a lay-up. A Landale offensive rebound and finish made it a 9-0 run for Melbourne with 5:40 to play in the term, and United’s lead stood at six points, 53-47.

McCarron scored again, while Lual-Acuil Jr. made his presence felt with two key buckets in quick succession, but was subbed out with a knee injury after landing awkwardly in a rebounding contest. He didn’t return to the game.

To Perth’s credit, they wouldn’t go away as Magnay continued to fight and when White hit his fourth triple of the game, Melbourne’s lead had been trimmed to just three points, 60-57, with 40 seconds left in the quarter.

A late Hopson bucket saw United hold a five-point lead, 62-57, at the final break.

After scoring the final bucket of the third term, Hopson was clearly feeling good and was first to score in the fourth quarter.

After three minutes of play in the third term, Goulding was subbed back into the game and promptly drained a triple to make it an eight-point United lead, 67-59.

Goulding continued to torch the Wildcats, hitting a triple and then draining a lay-up to put Melbourne in a great position, leading 77-65, with just under four minutes to play.

Once again, Perth wouldn’t go away as Mitch Norton – who had battled through injury all game long to courageously keep playing – continued to work hard. Norton and Blanchfield hit shots to make it an eight-point game, 77-69, with two minutes on the clock.

Free throws down the stretch to Ili, Landale and Goulding steered Melbourne home to a nine-point win, 83-74, and a commanding 2-0 lead in the Grand Final Series.

The superstars stood up for United as Goulding (21 points and four triples) was the games leading scorer and Landale (12 points, 17 rebounds and 3 assists) posted a dominant double-double.

Baba (15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals) was electric on both ends of the court, draining shots and playing stifling defence on Blanchfield. McCarron (6 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals), Lual-Acuil Jr. (10 points) and Hopson (9 points and 3 rebounds) all played important roles.

Mooney (17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists) led the way for Perth, while Norton (12 points and 3 rebounds) battled manfully.

After winning both games in Perth, United heads home with a chance to claim the Championship. Game Three will be played at John Cain Arena on Friday 25 June. Tip off is at 7:30pm (AEST).