BASKETBALL
NBL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
TRARALGON’S Jack White has moved one game closer to securing his third major basketball title.
Melbourne United withstood Illawarra Hawks in Game 3 of the NBL Championship series to win 83 to 77 at WIN Entertainment Centre.
White responded Sunday night following a Game 2 performance where he failed to attempt a single shot in United’s loss to the Hawks, but returned 20 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block to get himself back on track.
“I just wanted to enjoy the moment. Not only (was it) mine, but the team’s goal to be in this situation at the end of the year, we’ve done all the work throughout the regular season… at the end of the day, this is basketball man, we’re all privileged to play it,” he said postgame.
“I think when I’m just playing and not overthinking and having fun, (it) gets the best out of me, (along with) my assertiveness and my aggressiveness.”
Questions surrounding White’s aggression were put to bed instantly in the first quarter, when he rose and knocked down a three on the first possession.
Despite Illawarra handling United’s pressure and holding the lead all the way through to halftime, White managed 12 points in the first half that included a seven-point run in the second quarter with a few timely buckets inside and a beautiful step-back three that kept Melbourne close.
Trailing by just a point entering the second half, White began United’s stretch with a nice finish off an alley-oop pass from Matthew Dellavedova.
Three-point shots were dropping for the Hawks during the third term, holding their lead at seven points come three-quarter time.
While White didn’t score in the final quarter for United, his rebounding and defensive efforts were integral to Melbourne’s come from behind win, holding Illawarra to just 10 points the rest of the way home as Melbourne scored 23 to claim victory and move one win away from the championship.
THIS is why you can’t let your guard down, especially in a scenario with a championship at stake.
United failed to extend their series lead following defeat to the Hawks, 102-100 in Game 2.
In their first home game of the series at John Cain Arena, United was unable to move to a 2-nil series lead despite a last quarter surge, almost stealing it from the Hawks, which covered the cracks of many issues.
Starting forward, White was unable to even attempt a shot during the Wednesday, March 12 game – recording just six rebounds and accumulating four fouls in 18 minutes during the night.
White was once again pushed into the spotlight for the second time this NBL finals, after his free throw struggles became a topic of conversation during Melbourne’s semi-final series against Perth Wildcats.
White did recover from that and so too did his team, as United finished off Perth closely in three games. However, Melbourne coach and Warragul’s Dean Vickerman said the former NBA champion needed to respond.
“We need him to be more aggressive than not shooting a shot tonight,” Vickerman said postgame.
“We’ll put some positive messages to him and tell him to continue to be aggressive, and down the stretch I thought he rebounded well.
“That was the part of him that he can really help us with as well and hopefully his rebounding can ignite some pace for us… I’m confident that he’ll be super aggressive going forward.”
Vickerman was recently announced as Associate Head Coach of the Australian Boomers under Head Coach Adam Caporn for their 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign and beyond.
United appeared off from the start, with some lazy turnovers and lacklustre offensive possessions, but were able to sit right behind, down by just two points at halftime.
Illawarra then opened on an 8-2 run to start the third quarter that would epitomised what the Hawks set out to do, led handily by Sam Froling with nine quarter points as United looked at an 11-point deficit with 10 minutes spare.
Melbourne sixth-man Ian Clark got things off as well as he possibly could with eight quick points, including two tough three-pointers to begin the fourth quarter.
A three-point barrage rained down John Cain Arena reminiscent to United’s Game 1 performance against Perth where Chris Goulding made a finals record 10 threes.
Goulding (two) and Dellavedova each made long-range buckets to bring the game to within one point.
With a chance to take the lead and swing momentum fully their way, Goulding threw an untimely pass mid-shot as Illawarra comfortably ran the fastbreak for an easy score moving them ahead by three points.
Each team responded through the next two minutes of play as only 10 seconds remained on the clock and Melbourne was ahead by one point thanks to a pair of Clark free throws.
Illawarra’s Tyler Harvey then found the ball, sizing up his defender Clark, making a risky shot that gave the Hawks the win with limited time remaining as Goulding was forced into a tough three that nearly went in anyway.
A home team is yet to win a game this series.
Game 4, potentially the final game of the season, takes place tonight (Wednesday, March 19) at John Cain Arena from 7.30pm.
