DrinkWise Preview: Round 9 Game 2 v Illawarra Hawks

The NBL Cup will wrap up on Sunday afternoon and Melbourne United will make their final push for the Cup on Saturday night against the Illawarra Hawks at John Cain Arena.

The winner of the NBL Cup will receive $150,000 prizemoney, while second place receives $100,000 and third $50,000. With so much on the line and an opportunity to break a two-game losing streak, United will have plenty to play for against the Hawks.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jock Landale has been a dominant force all season long for United and over the past four games he has averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He’s involved in everything and his defensive work was on full display against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday night.

Despite the loss, Landale was a monster with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 steals. His back-to-back blocks in the final three minutes of regulation were extraordinary and gave Melbourne a real chance of winning the game.

For all the work Landale does defensively, his offensive game is just as impressive. His teammates can feed him the ball in the paint and watch him go to work, or they can give him the ball at the top of the key and if he has any room, he’ll shoot it. Shooting a touch under 40% from deep, Landale is the ultimate versatile big man.

KEY MATCH UP

Chris Goulding has been in fine form since returning from injury – in both games Goulding has scored 21 and 22 points, respectively. He’s a constant threat from beyond the arc and United’s offence relies heavily on him.

The match-up between Goulding and Justinian Jessup will be one to savour. Both can shoot the lights out and Jessup – who was drafted in the second round by the Golden State Warriors in last year’s NBA Draft – has already proven he can catch fire at any moment.

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Jessup is averaging 14.6 points and 4 rebounds per game, while shooting a very healthy 47% from the field and 46% from deep. Goulding has been the man for United when he’s been on the floor, averaging a team-high 18.1 points on 47% shooting from the field and 45% from three-point land.

As displayed in their stats, these two are sharpshooters of the highest order in this league. Give them an inch and they’ll let that ball fly.

THE OTHER GUYS

Illawarra started the season in flying fashion, getting wins in their first four games, but since then they’ve struggled, going 3-6 heading into Round 9. But as we know with any Brian Goorjian coached team, they will keep fighting and leave it all out there.

The Hawks are led by Tyler Harvey, who has been a scoring machine all season long. Averaging 20.7 points, 3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, Harvey is capable of taking over games.

The big man duo of Sam Froling and Cam Bairstow is a strong one. Froling (10 points and 7 rebounds per game) and Bairstow (11.2 points and 7 rebounds per game) love to get involved in the game on both ends of the court. United’s big men – the likes of Landale and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. – will need to be ready to compete with both.

Justin Simon is another important piece of Illawarra’s puzzle. The import guard is strong on the glass and while his scoring stats haven’t set the world on fire, he’s a player that needs to be kept in check.

GAME INFO

The NBL Cup Details:
Game 1: Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings, 5:30pm tip off
Game 2: Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United, 8pm tip off
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Tickets: BUY THEM HERE
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand
Listen: 1116 SEN