WWAG Match Recap: NBL24 Round 1 Game 2 vs Adelaide 36ers

Melbourne United travelled to Adelaide to take on the 36ers for the team’s second game of the opening round of the NBL24 season.

The game started quickly with Matthew Dellavedova snatching the ball from the tip-off and heading to the free-throw line within 5 seconds. While the first quarter was a scrappy affair, Melbourne pushed out to an early 7-point lead.

Adelaide rallied in front of their home fans to get back within 2 points, resulting in a Dean Vickerman timeout. The rev up to his troops seemed to do the trick, as Vickerman’s men came out firing.

Flynn Cameron and Tanner Krebs dropped triples, and Shea Ili helped to push the pace, allowing United to go on an 11-0 run. But Adelaide once again fought back to bring the quarter time margin back to 6.

Both teams hit the ground running to start the second, and slick ball movement by Melbourne resulted in Chris Goulding’s first 3-pointer of the game. But the 36ers just kept coming. A three pointer from Jason Cadee at the 6-minute mark allowing Adelaide to take the lead for the first time in the game.

Both teams traded blows throughout the last minutes of the first half. An absolute circus trick from Matt Dellavedova was waved off after not quite beating the buzzer, and it was Adelaide leading 43-41 at the main break.

The second half started with some fancy footwork in the post by Ariel Hukporti who helped himself to a quick bucket, drawing United back level. ‘Big A’ followed it up with a solid block down the defensive end, letting Luke Travers get out in transition and finish with a dunk, and United had the lead once more.

Chris Goulding hit back-to-back extra-deep 3’s as he tried his best to spark his team, but it was all-square going into the 3-quarter time break.

The 36ers came out hot to start the fourth, running out to an early 5-point lead. But highlights from Travers and Goulding, and a few plays by Dellavedova including two massive hits from deep helped United go on a 15-0 run and push back out to an 8-point lead with 5 minutes to go.

United held-fast throughout the late stages of the game, closing the game out with strength with the help of Hukporti’s 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Dean Vickerman’s men eventually defeating the 36ers by 8 points 82-74, locking in United’s second win in as many games to start the season.

United will now return home to Melbourne to take on the Jack Jumpers next Sunday at John Cain Arena, where the club will celebrate the Grassroots Game. Tickets are almost sold out, so fans are encouraged to head to Ticketek quickly to not miss out.