DrinkWise Preview: Round 8 Game 2 v Brisbane Bullets

With 10 wins in 11 games, Melbourne United has set the tone this NBL season.

Whilst the team is sitting three wins clear on top of the NBL ladder, United will need to keep the pressure on as the fight for the NBL Cup heats up.

After claiming a three-point win over the Breakers on Friday night, United now face a Bullets team that has won three of its past four games in a Sunday afternoon showdown at John Cain Arena.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jock Landale was everything United needed in the win over New Zealand on Friday night. He delivered on both ends of the court with his trademark passion and fire, willing his team to victory with nine points in the fourth quarter and finishing with a career-high 23 points.

His versatility is unmatched in the NBL among big men. While he thrives in the paint with his ability to bully his way to the bucket, he’s just as comfortable hitting triples from the top of the key. He connected on three of four shots from long-range against the Breakers.

His offensive exploits are game-changing, but just as important for United is his defensive work. He’s the defensive anchor the team needs and with no Jack White, even more defensive responsibility falls on Landale’s shoulders.

Landale is in Melbourne to win and it’s clear that he will stop at nothing to get the job done.

KEY MATCH UP

Nathan Sobey is having an MVP-calibre season for the Bullets and keeping him in check is one of the toughest tasks in the NBL at the moment. He’s doing it all for Brisbane and averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game, to go along with 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds.

Sobey’s production has gone to another level and his efficiency hasn’t taken a hit at all – he’s shooting a very healthy 50% from the field.

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The guard match-up between Sobey and Mitch McCarron will be an absolute treat.

Both are relentless competitors and McCarron has been on a tear since the start of February. Averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in his last eight games, McCarron has been United’s go-to man and has delivered in spades down the stretch of games.

Sit back and enjoy watching what these two bring to the court.

THE OTHER GUYS

The Bullets have won three of their last four games, have an overall record of 6-6 and sit third on the NBL Cup ladder with 20 points. On Friday night, they claimed a nail-biting three-point win over Perth as Sobey (31 points and 4 assists) took over.

Back in Round 4, United took care of business against the Bullets as six players scored in double figures, led by Chris Goulding (27 points) and Landale (20 points and 13 rebounds).

Brisbane is a team that can turn it on at any second with explosive and exciting players such as Sobey, Vic Law and Anthony Drmic.

Sobey is having a career year, while Law has been among the most impressive imports in the league, averaging 20 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Drmic has been in strong form recently, averaging 14.4 points and 4 rebounds over his last five games. He’s a player that injects so much energy into his team and if he gets going early, he can change the course of a game.

Matt Hodgson, Orlando Johnson, Harry Froling and Jason Cadee also all play important roles for the Bullets.

GAME INFO

The NBL Cup - Sunday 7th March
Game 1: Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets, 2.00pm tip off
Game 2: Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats, 4.30pm tip off
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne.
Tickets: Tickets are SOLD OUT! 
Watch: SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand.
Listen: 1116 SEN