DrinkWise Preview: NBL24 Round 3 Game 2 vs Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne United will return home after their win in Perth looking to sweep their pair of games in Round 3 when they face the Brisbane Bullets.

United have dominated their matchup with the Bullets across the past few years, winning eight consecutive games over Brisbane.

Another victory would put Melbourne in a strong position to close out Round 3, while a loss could see MU slide down the ladder.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Across the past four seasons, Chris Goulding has thrived when going up against the Bullets.

United’s captain holds a 9-1 record over Brisbane in their last 10 meetings, while averaging 17.8 points and 4.6 made threes per game.

Fresh off an 18-point effort against the Wildcats, look for CG43 to fire again in front of the raucous crowd at John Cain Arena.

KEY MATCHUP

Nathan Sobey has been on a tear to start the season for the Bullets, leading the league in scoring (24.8 points per game), however he’ll have to deal with perhaps the league’s best perimeter defender in Shea Ili come Sunday afternoon.

Ili, along with Matthew Dellavedova, all but shut down Bryce Cotton on Friday, restricting the star guard to just 11 points in 37 minutes, and will hope to replicate that performance on Sunday afternoon.

While Sobey presents a different type of challenge, look for another lockdown effort from Ili against the Brisbane star.

THE OTHER GUYS

As Aron Baynes sits out the contest due to a suspension, the Bullets will look to their supporting cast against United.

Chris Smith and DJ Mitchell were deadly from behind the arc in Friday’s loss to the Kings, connecting on nine threes, while Isaac White showcased his ability to get hot off the bench, scoring 12 points.

A huge X-factor will come inside the paint, as Tyrell Harrison and Rocco Zikarsky aim to make up for Baynes’ absence.

Former United championship winning assistant coach Justin Schueller, now the Head Coach at Brisbane, will also make his return to John Cain Arena.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets

Tip-off: 2pm AEDT, Sunday 15 October, 2023

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: 10 Peach and Kayo Freebies

Listen: Clutch Radio

Tickets: Available here