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Melbourne United flirted with form and now they must pick up their game for the NBL playoffs after a thrilling 70-68 home loss to soon-to-be semi-final opponents New Zealand Breakers on Sunday.
United faced the Breakers in Auckland on Friday and, with the minor premiership already secured, decided to rest three key players, copping a 100-63 hammering.
But even with a full hand on deck at Hisense Arena they couldn’t topple the defending champions, who they meet again on Thursday at Hisense Arena in the opening game on their best-of-three semi-final series.
New Zealand’s title defence looked down and out after six straight losses from New Year’s Eve, but they now ride into the post-season on a five-game winning run to look ominously like the team that has won four of the past five championships.
Tai Wesley led the way for the Breakers with 23 points including the game-winning basket, his interior play posing United serious questions.
Mika Vukona (10 points, 10 rebounds) was next best for the visitors, who were without leading scorer Corey Webster.
For Melbourne, Chris Goulding showed he will also be a handful in the playoffs, showing off his array of moves en route to 22 points, supported by Daniel Kickert with 16.
With little riding on the outcome, the first half was a low-scoring affair as both coaches rotated their benches.
New Zealand snuck seven points clear, but back-to-back dunks from Goulding and Hakim Warrick awoke the capacity crowd and kept the hosts within three at half-time.
Goulding put on an offensive clinic early in the third, scoring 10 points in quick succession on a series of three-pointers and pull-ups, but the Breakers hung tough, and with Wesley continuing his fine low-post play they took a 54-52 edge into the final term.
It looked like Melbourne had done enough to win late in the fourth, but Stephen Holt missed two open three-pointers, Kickert shot an uncharacteristic airball and their rebounding woes resurfaced, opening the door for New Zealand.
Wesley tied the game at 68, and then after the Breakers grabbed three offensive rebounds on the next possession, he put his team ahead for good with 5.4 seconds to play.
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