BASKETBALL

NBL EXPORTS

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

A ROLLERCOASTER of a finals launch to say the least.

In his return, Traralgon’s Jack White and his Melbourne United side picked up a Game 1 victory over Perth Wildcats 105 to 93 at John Cain Arena.

White was announced in the starting line-up, playing for the first time in a month, and was treated to a warm and loud ovation from the home Melbourne faithful as he ran onto the court during player pre-game introductions last Thursday night.

Fellow Traralgon export Jade Melbourne was also spotted in the crowd – who’s had a busy week since finishing her WNBL campaign, visiting home and watching the two Boomers games in the Latrobe Valley before gearing up for Opals and WNBA training camp soon.

United returned to form in the backend of the home-and-away season, after a momentary dip in the middle of their campaign, they won four of their last five games heading into finals – finishing second on the ladder behind Illawarra Hawks.

In a best of three series, a Game 1 win for either side would do numbers – United would still enter as the clear favourite having beaten the Wildcats in each of their three previous meetings during the season, but an upset away from home was still on the cards.

With any finals match across any sport, the atmosphere sets up what is to come and that was to be expected as Melbourne push forth to right their wrongs from last year’s heart-breaking Grand Final loss to Tasmania.

Chris Goulding opened the game flaring to the top of the three-point arch and nailed an easy long range bucket (more was to come) which got the crowd of near 7500 roaring in the opening minute.

Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova scored all of United early points as Perth kept close, before White played perfect defensive on one end and ran the floor getting a nice pick-and-roll finish for his first points in over three weeks.

United extended their lead to 10 points before league MVP Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats awoke, slithering his way into the paint and hitting some tough fall-away jumpers to keep them within six points, 23-17 at quarter time.

While the second quarter opened well for Melbourne with White and Ian Clark delivering on some timely jump shots, the term would be in Perth’s favour thoroughly.

The Wildcats outscored United 33-26 through to halftime, with shots going awry on one end (culminating in White airballing two free throws in the last minute of the quarter) and Perth being sent to the line for easy scores on the other.

Despite looking at a one-point deficit as United returned for the third quarter, the team would switch back into gear as White worked hard on the opening possession, bringing down the defensive rebound before getting the tip in layup on the other end off of his own miss.

The ‘premiership quarter’ would be United’s as White returned to form with seven points for the term and outscored Perth 30-17 to lead again by 10 points with 10 minutes to go.

This was where United needed to take it, to assert they weren’t to be messed with especially on their home court.

However, Melbourne would score just two points through the first five minutes of the final term, as Perth stormed back to trail by just three points only for Goulding to rise to the occasion for a stretch like no other.

Goulding sent five three-pointers into the bottom of the net in their last eight possessions of the game, which shut down any hopes of a come-from-behind taking from Perth.

White finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds upon his return, while Goulding (41 points) tied a record for the most three-pointers in an NBL finals game, shooting 10-17 from distance.

 

HEADING to RAC Arena for Game 2 on Saturday night, United was downed 96-89, extending the series an extra game longer.

Things started off well for White, nailing the first score of the game coming from a long three-ball before his deficiencies became the name of the game.

It all appeared well for United, who were looking to secure a series victory on route to another grand final, as they led 30-10 to open the match and ahead by 14 points come halftime.

Melbourne were unable to shut down the Wildcats chances of a comeback during the third term, despite leading significantly throughout, but a tough finish from Cotton brought it back to 11 points at three quarter time.

After keeping their opponent out of sync all game, the tide switched and was most evident with White who proceeded to miss four straight free throws in crunch time, all while Perth was making their run.

United was unable to answer the rallying Wildcats as they tied the game up with four minutes remaining, and then a three-point dagger from Dylan Windler sent the home side ahead for the first time all night.

White still finished with 13 points, six rebounds and a steal in defeat.

 

GAME 3 at John Cain Arena came down to the wire, with Melbourne United progressing after a one-point win over Perth Wildcats, 113-112.

White scored 15 points and recorded nine rebounds, while Goulding was the match winner, scoring a clutch go-ahead free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining.

A full match wrap will be provided in next week’s Express.