Melbourne United open season with dominant display over 36ers

Melbourne United sent a warning message to the rest of the NBL in the opening game of the 2021 NBL season on Friday night in Adelaide.

After a tight first half, it was a simply dominant second half from United that saw them come away with a 24-point win over the 36ers, 89-65.

Melbourne’s high-profile off-season signing, Jock Landale got scoring underway – albeit courtesy of a goaltend – and with superstar Chris Goulding knocking down triples, Adelaide called an early time-out with Melbourne having jumped out to an 11-6 lead.

The energy of Jack White – on both ends of the court – was on full display from the outset as he got the start in his first NBL game.

After a strong opening few minutes, United allowed the 36ers back into the game with turnovers and Adelaide – led by Daniel Johnson – took advantage and led by four points, 22-18, at the first break.

Coach Dean Vickerman was sharing the minutes around and when Mason Peatling started the second quarter, every United player had been on the court.

Goulding stayed hot in the second quarter to take his total to 10 points, while White and Shea Ili continued to ask questions of the 36ers with their relentless play.

With Johnson (16 first-half points) dominating on the offensive end, Adelaide took a two-point advantage in half time, 39-37. Goulding (10 points) and Landale (7 rebounds and 6 points) were pacing Melbourne.

After an arm-wrestle of a first half, the second half couldn’t have been more different. United put the foot down with a 22-8 run in the third quarter, led by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Yudai Baba and Shea Ili.

With those three bringing energy, Goulding and Landale continued to do what they do best as well and a 26-13 third quarter saw Melbourne take a 63-52 lead into the final term.

Melbourne’s defensive tenacity was at its best in the second half, forcing turnovers which led to easy fast break points. The fourth quarter turned into party time as Baba delivered plenty of highlights, while Goulding, Lual-Acuil Jr. and Ili were important throughout.

A 26-point second half turnaround saw United claim the 89-65 win over the 36ers. Melbourne’s rebounding played a huge role in the win, with United out-rebounding the 36ers 55-39. United’s 55 rebounds in a game is a new franchise record.

It was a total team effort for Melbourne with Lual-Acuil Jr. (16 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals), Goulding (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists), Ili (13 points and 4 rebounds), Baba (10 points and 4 rebounds) and Landale (10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks) all scoring in double figures.

Further highlighting United’s depth was the fact that every United player scored in the game and no player played over 26 minutes, while the bench outscored the starters 48-41. Adelaide’s only double-figure scorer was Johnson, who finished with 27 points and 5 rebounds.

Melbourne’s next game is against the Cairns Taipans on January 25 in Cairns.