Match Recap: Round 20, Game 2 v Taipans

Melbourne United have extended their winning streak to five games on Saturday night after handling a spirited effort from the Cairns Taipans.

It was a slow opening term for United, as Cairns did their best to slow down the game and play at their pace.

After a sluggish start, back-to-back threes from Shea Ili and Chris Goulding seemed to give the home side some life.

Despite this, the Taipans played tough, getting inside and drawing fouls to reduce Melbourne’s lead to just one point going into the quarter time break.

United were forced to play from behind in the second term following a 10-0 start from the Taipans.

Needing a spark to break Cairn’s run, Jack White threw down a huge dunk that got the John Cain Arena crowd, and his Melbourne teammates, up and about.

From here on, things just seemed to click for United, as Ariel Hukporti skied for dunks and blocks, while CG fired away from beyond the arc.

Goulding scored 16 in the half, and helped propel Melbourne on a 23-7 run which ended in style thanks to a Delly buzzer-beater to close the second period.

Keen to keep their momentum rolling, United played their usual brand of lockdown defence coming out of the main break.

Melbourne held the Taipans to just 14 points in the third term thanks in part to great rim protection from the likes of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Ariel Hukporti and Jack White.

On the offensive end, while it was a quieter night for JLA, the big man eclipsed a major milestone with a thunderous dunk.

Lual-Acuil Jr threw down a lightning-quick slam on the fast break to become the fifth player in United’s history to reach 1000 points with the club.

This, combined with some great play from Delly on both ends led Melbourne to a 15-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

Needing to hold onto their lead through the final term, United put in the work.

CG43 continued to splash triples, finishing with 27 points and six three-pointers, while Big A provided a number of above the rim highlights.

Perhaps the most exciting play of the game came towards the end of the game, wherein Yudai Baba knocked down a three-pointer, which was quickly followed by a Shea Ili steal and Jack White dunk.

While the Taipans were able to knock down some shots to close the game, United ran away with a comfortable 12-point win.

The victory all but assures United will finish on top of the competition ladder.

Melbourne’s next game will be on the road against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday evening. This will be United’s final game before the Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals.