Match Recap: NBL22 Round 3, Game 1 vs Sydney Kings.

Melbourne United have put together one of the biggest victories in recent NBL history, smashing the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena on Thursday evening.

After fielding criticism across their first two games for slow starts, United, who welcomed back Captain Chris Goulding, came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

Caleb Agada scored four points in the opening 40 seconds, before a pair of triples from Delly and Dave Barlow pushed the lead out to 10-0, forcing Kings coach Chase Buford into a timeout.

Coming out of the timeout with the John Cain Arena Crowd still on their feet, Melbourne only built on their lead, shutting down everything Sydney had to offer and sinking bucket after bucket on offence.

The run continued… and continued… and continued… extending all the way out to 26-0 before the visitors finally got on the board.

Agada led all scorers across the term, scoring 12 points to help the defending champs out to a 34-5 lead, the largest first quarter differential in NBL history.

While Sydney found more consistent looks coming out of the first break, United remained firmly in control.

Barlow was lights out in his minutes, connecting on back-to-back threes before feeding CG43 for a triple of his own, pushing the lead out beyond 30.

The home side was getting major contributions from all over the court, with all but one of United’s players finding the bottom of the net while clamping down on Sydney’s scorers.

Kings import RJ Hunter was held scoreless across the first half, leaving he and his teammates searching for answers as they faced down the largest half-time deficit, trailing 55-21, since the NBL moved to 10 minute quarters in 2009.

While Melbourne’s insane shotmaking slowed slightly coming out of the major break, their defense was relentless.

United held the Kings to just 15 points across the third term, having only allowed 11 of Sydney’s 52 attempts from the field to find the bottom of the net.

Punctuating Melbourne’s amazing run was an enormous dunk from Next Star Ariel Hukporti, who put Thomas Vodanovich on a spectacular poster to close the term.

With the victory all but sealed, Melbourne went to its bench in the final 10 minutes, with the likes of Davo Hickey, Zac Triplett, Callum Dalton and Dion Prewster seeing action for the first time in the game.

Ultimately, the defending champs ran away with a 42 point win, sending a message to the rest of the NBL that United remain one of the league’s top contenders.

United’s next game will be their final home game of the year, as Melbourne host the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena on Sunday at 1pm.

United are offering their fans 30% off General Reserve tickets for the contest.

To redeem the discount simply enter the password MUX30 at the start of the purchase process here.