WWAG NBL24 Match Recap - Round 11 Game 2 v Adelaide 36ers

After doubt surrounded whether he would play following a leg injury in Throwdown XXIII, Matthew Dellavedova showcased he was fit and firing immediately, scoring off the opening tip.

While a dunk from Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and a triple from Luke Travers created a little bit of a buffer for United, the 36ers hit back, going on a 6-0 run to take the lead.

This was short lived, as a pair of threes from Chris Goulding allowed MU to retake their advantage.

Melbourne’s bench entered and ensured their lead would stay safe, with Ian Clark, Ariel Hukporti and Flynn Cameron all hitting the scoreboard.

Still needing a strong effort to hold off the Sixers, Shea Ili splashed a long-range look before CG43 beat the buzzer from deep to give United a 28-23 lead after 10 minutes.

Keen to build on the margin, Travers went upstairs, powering home a poster slam over Isaac Humphries before soaring for an alley-oop dunk off an inbounds play.

Hukporti then got in on the action, sending away a shot on one end before running the floor for the dunk.

Despite this, Adelaide was able to stay within striking distance, trailing by just three before Tanner Krebs entered the game and went to work.

The sharpshooter splashed home three consecutive triples, pushing the margin back out and helping United ultimately take a 13-point advantage into the major break.

The third period was a back and forth fight with both teams looking to take control.

Five quick points from Travers got the home side going before three pointers from Goulding, Ili and Clark helped United build their lead out to as many as 18 points.

While Adelaide could have fallen away, they answered the call, making a run of their own to cut the Melbourne margin to just eight points going into the final period.

The visitor’s run continued across the start of the fourth, scoring the first four points before Shea Ili got all the way to the hoop for a layup.

The kiwi dynamo was huge across the entire term, playing lockdown defence, culminating in a steal and score in the final minutes of action.

Some highlight plays from United’s big-men preceded this, including a spectacular Hukporti snatch block and some late scores from Lual-Acuil Jr.

With the game all but in hand, the crowd were brought to their feet once again as Development Player Campbell Blogg entered the game and cashed a triple in the final seconds to secure the 107-96 win.

The win is United’s third in a row and solidifies Melbourne’s spot on top of the competition ladder with a 13-3 record.

United’s next game will come on Saturday 23 December against the Perth Wildcats in the Open Air Game.

Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to secure your seat to this can’t miss sporting experience.