DrinkWise Preview: NBL24 Round 4, Game 2 vs NZ Breakers

Melbourne United will hope to secure their fourth consecutive victory in The Multicultural Game on Sunday afternoon when they face the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena.

Always a highlight of United’s schedule, The Multicultural Game is a celebration of the diversity of Melbourne, and hopes to help achieve United’s purpose to inspire, enrich and entertain people with the power of basketball.

Fresh off a road win against the Illawarra Hawks, a second victory in Round 4 will keep United on top of the competition ladder.

For New Zealand, the contest will be their first since returning from their NBLxNBA games against Portland and Utah.

PLAYER TO WATCH

While much has been made about the return of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Next Star Ariel Hukporti has continued to turn heads with his spectacular play at both ends of the floor.

The Togolese-German seven-footer registered a career-high 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block on Friday night, all in just 20 minutes of play.

Going up against a Breakers team that often uses small-ball lineups, look for Hukporti to impose himself on the game with his sheer force and athleticism.

KEY MATCHUP

Through his first two games of the season, Parker Jackson-Cartwright did all he could to claim the title as the league’s best new import.

The lean guard averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 assists and 3.5 steals against the Bullets and Taipans, but will find himself matched up with the NBL’s best perimeter defender on Sunday in the form of Shea Ili.

Having already locked down the likes of Bryce Cotton, Justin Robinson and Nathan Sobey, Ili will look to add ‘PJC’ to the list of star guards stifled by the kiwi dynamo.

THE OTHER GUYS

Surrounding Jackson-Cartwright is a collection of talent capable of swinging any game in the Breakers favour.

Import pairing Zylan Cheatham and Anthony Lamb both boast NBA experience, while local duo Finn Delany and Will McDowell-White are able to use their size and shooting to break games open.

What New Zealand can get from their bench will be important, with the likes of Cam Gliddon and Izayah Le-Afa able to bomb away from downtown.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs New Zealand Breakers

Tip-off: 2pm AEDT, Sunday 22 October, 2023

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: 10 Peach and Kayo Freebies

Listen: Clutch Radio