DrinkWise Preview: NBL23 - Blitz Game 3 v Brisbane Bullets

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United will suit up for their third and final game of the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz on Friday evening when they face the Brisbane Bullets at 8pm.

United will be looking to keep up the momentum from their last Blitz outing, which saw them dominate the Perth Wildcats in a 27-point drubbing on Wednesday night.

This will be the third time Melbourne have faced off against the Bullets this pre-season, with Brisbane having come out on top in each of their previous games.

PLAYER TO WATCH

After a quiet first game of the Blitz, Xavier Rathan-Mayes showcased exactly why United brought the skilled Canadian in for their NBL23 campaign on Wednesday night.

The crafty guard led all scorers, finishing with 22 points, while playing terrific defence on former league MVP Bryce Cotton for much of the game.

If United want to close their pre-season on a high note, XRM will need to repeat his performance against the Bullets and their former NBA guard Tyler Johnson, who is slowly working his way into form since joining the team.

Look for Rathan-Mayes to stay aggressive on offence while putting the pressure on Johnson on the other end of the floor.

KEY MATCHUP

On the back of the heartbreaking injury to Ariel Hukporti, the responsibility to shut down the league’s top big men will fall on Isaac Humphries, who put together his best showing with United on Wednesday evening.

Humphries will immediately be tested when United face the Bullets and their star addition, Aron Baynes.

It’s been an up-and-down Blitz for Baynes, with the former Boomer averaging eight points and seven and a half rebounds on 33 percent shooting.

Fans are sure to see a competitive battle in the paint when the two bigs clash in the paint.

THE OTHER GUYS

While a lot of attention has gone to the Bullets’ big-name additions of Baynes and Johnson, the side featured strong talent from top to bottom.

Import guard Devondrick Walker has shown his ability to fire away from beyond the arc, while DJ Mitchell has established himself as a valuable piece off the bench.

A huge X-factor for Brisbane is the returning Nathan Sobey, who has played limited minutes across their first two Blitz games.

Sobey has averaged nearly a point per minute, and could break the game open for the Bullets should he get hot in more extended game-time.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets

Tip off: 8pm (AEST), Friday 23 September, 2022

Where: Darwin Basketball Stadium, Darwin

Tickets: Available here

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