Preview: Round 4 Game 1 v Brisbane Bullets

After returning to Victoria and grabbing a win in Bendigo against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday, Melbourne United has hit the road once again, this time heading up to Brisbane to take on the Bullets on Friday night.

Boasting an unbeaten 3-0 start to the season, Melbourne will have their hands full with Brisbane, a team that is now full of confidence with back-to-back hard-fought wins, both of which came at home.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jack White, the 23-year-old Victorian native, has had a tremendous start to his professional career and settled in perfectly to his starting role with United.

White has wasted no time making sure his presence has been felt in the NBL and through three games is averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in 21 minutes of action.

In his best game as a pro, White was dominant against South East Melbourne, scoring 22 points on 72% shooting and draining three triples, while also adding 6 rebounds.

His shot-blocking ability was also on full display in the win; White was everywhere on the defensive end, finishing with four blocks.

White and Jock Landale are quickly becoming a deadly one-two frontcourt punch for United.

KEY MATCH UP

Nathan Sobey has had an incredible start to the season for Brisbane, averaging 24.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3 assists through four games. His scoring has risen in each game and in the thrilling 105-103 overtime win over Cairns in Round 3, Sobey recorded 30 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Sobey is leading the way for Brisbane, and the player who is at the forefront of United’s scoring is Chris Goulding. Goulding has and always will be a constant threat on the perimeter, everyone knows it, but the opposition simply can’t stop him.

Averaging four three-point makes a game, Goulding’s shooting can change the course of a game quickly and give United the momentum they need to defeat anyone.

These two scoring guards are capable of anything, and while they may not be directly matched up on one another constantly on Friday night, they both have massive roles to play in helping their team get a win.

THE OTHER GUYS

Brisbane started the season off with a pair of losses to the undefeated Hawks, but have since bounced back with wins over Sydney and Cairns.

Sobey and import Vic Law have been the driving force behind Brisbane this season. The pair play with great energy on the court and Law, who is averaging a double-double with 22.3 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, scored the game-winning bucket in overtime against the Taipans.

Both players can score in a variety of ways and love to attack the basket, so United’s defence will need to be switched on from the outset.

While Sobey and Law provide so much for the Bullets, you can’t focus all your energy on stopping just those two, because Brisbane have versatile players across the court.

Anthony Drmic and Harry Froling both made the move from Adelaide to Brisbane over the off-season and play important roles for the Bullets, while sharpshooter Jason Cadee can never be left open on the perimeter.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets.
Tip off: 7:30pm (AEDT), Friday 5 February.
Where: Nissan Arena, Brisbane.
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand.