DrinkWise Preview: NBL23 - Round 12, Game 2 v Sydney Kings

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United will make history on Sunday night when they face the Sydney Kings in the NBL’s first ever Christmas night game.

United have been rolling of late, having won four of their past five games, including a crucial victory on Friday night in front of 10,000 plus fans inside John Cain Arena for the Open Air Game.

Sitting at 9-11 with eight games remaining on the schedule, seven of which will be on the road, a win against the Kings would go a long way in terms of keeping up much needed momentum.

For Sydney, losses in two of their last three games have seen the side drop to second on the ladder heading into Sunday evening.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Over United’s past five games, perhaps no player has been as influential as Chris Goulding.

The sharpshooter has hit his stride, averaging 20 points and 4.4 three pointers per game over this stretch.

CG is not unfamiliar with going off against the Kings, having faced off against Sydney over 40 times across his career, including registering the NBL’s only ever 50-point game in the 40-minute era against them.

Watch for United’s skipper to work off his teammates for good shots on the perimeter once again.

KEY MATCHUP

Two of the league’s best athletes will battle it out on the wing as Justin Simon does all he can to slow down the run-away freight train that is Rayjon Tucker.

Having well and truly adjusted to the NBL game, Tucker has looked unstoppable over the three games, averaging 24 points per game on 53% shooting from deep.

Keeping up this form will be a must for the import guard if United hope to secure a win on Christmas, however Justin Simon will be looking to do whatever he can to slow down Melbourne’s highlight machine.

A former Defensive Player of the Year winner, Simon will look to play physical with Tucker, putting a body on him to stop his momentum getting towards the basket.

THE OTHER GUYS

Sydney will need their stars to shine bright on Christmas night if they hope to stop the momentum of the NBL’s hottest team.

Derrick Walton Jr has been spectacular of late, however he will surely be looking for some much needed help from his surrounding talent on Sunday.

Xavier Cooks has been limited by an ankle injury, while DJ Vasiljevic’s three-point stroke has disappeared (15.8% on 4.8 attempts per game across the past two rounds).

The Kings’ big-man rotation has held firm of late, with Tim Soares and Jordan Hunter providing their usual brand of tough interior play.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings

Tip off: 6:30pm (AEDT), Sunday 25 December, 2022

Where:Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney

Watch: Channel 10 and ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel