Match Recap: Round 19, Game 2 vs Cairns Taipans

Melbourne United have become the first team to qualify for the Hungry Jack’s NBL22 Finals after slamming the Cairns Taipans on the road.

United were clinical throughout the first quarter, executing efficiently and making the most of their opportunities.

After Jack White dropped in Melbourne’s first field goal of the game, making up two of his six first quarter points, Chris Goulding went to work.

CG43 knocked down a trio of first period three-pointers to keep United ahead of a spirited Taipans side missing some key pieces.

Ariel Hukporti kept the visitors’ energy high when he entered the game, sending away a Tahjere McCall layup leading to a tough Brad Newley fast break finish.

Holding onto a five-point lead with only seconds remaining in the term, Matthew Dellavedova flexed his muscles, bullying Cairns guard Ben Ayre in the post before sinking a fade-away jump shot to beat the buzzer.

Despite this momentum, the defending champions were slow out of the blocks heading into the second quarter.

United went scoreless across the first four minutes of action, allowing the Taipans to push their way back into the game.

It seemed like Goulding had had enough of the slow start and took matters into his own hands, sinking a tough step-back three-pointer plus the foul to get Melbourne going.

That kicked off a highlight-fest for United, featuring a White fast break dunk and a pair of big slams for Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, one of which came on a brilliant behind the back pass from CG43.

This boost helped buoy Melbourne, giving the visitors a 43-38 half-time lead.

Looking to take control of the contest, JLA and CG43 spraked a seemingly unstoppable run for United.

Dunks, alley-oops, three-pointers, layups, free-throws, it was all going down for the duo, helping to extend the lead beyond 15 points before Melbourne’s bench came in and continued the push.

On back-to-back-to-back possessions, Shea Ili, Caleb Agada and Brad Newley came away with steals and run-away layups, before Mason Peatling sunk a triple to put an exclamation point on a 27-6 run.

Taking a 71-48 lead into the final 10 minutes, United simply needed to avoid a disaster to cement their spot on top of the NBL ladder.

The final period was a showcase for both Melbourne’s stars and bench contributors.

JLA continued to toy with Cairn’s coverages, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Big A went to work, adding nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks of his own.

Kiwi guard Dion Prewster also got an extended chance to show the national audience what he brings to United’s group every day at practice, knocking down a pair of mid range jump shots down the stretch of what ended as a 29-point victory.

The win is Melbourne’s third in a row heading into their next pair of games on Easter Saturday (16 April) and Monday (18 April) against the Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans respectively.

Tickets to both of United’s final home games before the Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals are available here.