Match Recap: Round 18, Game 2 vs Perth Wildcats

Melbourne United have ended their two-game skid, coming up with a huge victory on the road against the Perth Wildcats.

United were firing early, as Chris Goulding knocked down a pair of triples in the opening three minutes of action to surround a three-pointer from Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

It was tough bucket after tough bucket on both sides across the rest of the term, with Bryce Cotton leading the way for the Wildcats.

The three-time MVP had eight points in the opening term and had the home side poised to take a lead into quarter time before Jack White flexed his muscles for Melbourne.

The highlight-machine connected on a pair of and-1 finishes in the final minute of the period to give United a five point lead before Luke Travers sunk a half-court heave to beat the buzzer.

The second term played out similarly, however this time it was Matthew Dellavedova getting in on the fun from beyond the arc.

Delly cashed in two triples at the start of the quarter before JLA went to work inside, finishing over some tough coverages.

Despite some great defence from Yudai Baba, who started the game in the place of an injured Caleb Agada, and Shea Ili on Cotton, the Wildcats’ supplementary weapons were able to connect on their chances.

Vic Law and Todd Blanchfield combined for 20 points and eight rebounds in the first half and helped last year’s runners-up put together a run that saw the home side take a 40-44 lead into the major break.

Melbourne came out of the main break committed to making the Wildcats pay from beyond the arc, sinking four quick triples, two of which came from Delly, to take a 55-52 lead.

The defending champs were looking in good stead, playing aggressively and putting Law in a tough spot with four fouls, however their offence slowed somewhat towards the end of the term.

Thankfully Melbourne’s defence stepped up, forcing steals and swatting shots, two of which came from the long arms of Ariel Hukporti.

A three-pointer from Delly then tied the game heading into an intense final 10 minutes of action.

From the get-go, it became clear that the fourth quarter belonged to Shea Ili.

The deserved front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year had been having a strong defensive game up until that point, but turned it up to another level in the final term.

Ili denied Cotton, poked at balls, got to the rim, found his teammates and knocked down one of the biggest shots of United’s season in his eight and a half minutes of final period action.

Up eight with less than two minutes remaining, Ili found space off-ball and sunk a three-point dagger into Perth’s heart, finishing the game with 12 points, five steals and four assists in the 84-75 win.

The victory keeps United on top of the NBL22 ladder heading into a huge Throwdown XVI, delivered by DoorDash matchup on Thursday evening.