Mitsubishi Match Recap: NBL26 - Blitz v Perth Wildcats

Melbourne United have gone down in the opening game of the NBL Blitz, falling by six points against the Perth Wildcats.

Looking to introduce himself to the United fans, incoming big-man Jesse Edwards started the game with an emphatic alley-oop jam off a great pass from fellow import Milton Doyle.

Doyle then got in on the scoring himself, cashing a triple from the wing shortly before Tanner Krebs did the same from the other side of the floor.

Playing in the arena he called home for close to three years, Next Star Dash Daniels showed off his defensive skill, swiping the ball at the top of the arc leading to a dunk.

A tough Kyle Bowen layup followed, however it was the Wildcats who claimed first-quarter bragging rights, taking a 17-23 lead into the opening break.

Eager to cut into the lead, Tyson Walker showed his aggressiveness, getting inside the arc for a mid-range jumper which preceded some strong paint play from Edwards.

The big-man crashed the offensive glass to feed Finn Delany for a triple, swatted a shot at the other end, before finishing a pair of shots around the rim to bring his total to six points.

That, combined with six quick points from Tom Wilson on a three and an and-one bucket brought Melbourne back within two points.

Perth were able to push United back in the final few minutes of the half, going back up 39-44 heading into the major break.

Coming out of half-time, Edwards gave United the perfect start to the period, slamming home another alley-oop dunk.

This work in the paint cleared the way for Tanner Krebs to attack off the dribble, breaking down his man on three straight possessions for three straight layups, giving Melbourne the lead for the first time since the opening term. 

Perth were able to hit back, with both sides trading the across the rest of the quarter.

Malith Machar came into the contest, knocking down a triple from the corner, while Delany got his three points the hard way with a layup plus the foul.

Doyle got in on the action following this, stepping back for a three and getting to the cup for a tough layup to tie the game back up and beat the buzzer.

With the game on the line, both sides locked down on defence across the final 10 minutes.

Doyle was able to come through with a couple of difficult makes inside the arc, while Edwards, Walker and Kyle Bowen sent away more shots on defence.  

Ultimately, while United was able to generate good looks on offence, they couldn’t quite get enough to fall down the stretch, falling 84-78.

Melbourne’s second and final game of the Blitz will come on Saturday evening from 5:45pm against the Brisbane Bullets.

Fans can tune in via Disney+ and Kayo.