Melbourne United 99
Townsville Crocodiles 84
Melbourne United powered home to defeat the Townsville Crocodiless at Townsville Entertainment Arena on Friday night.
Melbourne started strong and jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter, with the score at the end of the first being United 28 – Crocodiles 19.
However, this was before a Brian Conklin led comeback that put the Crocodiles in front by a point early in the third quarter. Conklin showed why he was last seasons MVP by scoring 25 points and 5 rebounds, shooting 9-17 from the field.
United was able to steady the Crocodiles momentum and riding a wave of three’s hit from Todd Blanchfield get back into the game. He was joined by Hakim Warrick who was working hard inside and United were able to take control of the game during the third and fourth quarters.
Blanchfield, named man of the match was hitting everything on his way to collecting a game high 29 points. Hakim Warrick who started his first NBL game on the bench came on and had a massive impact scoring 21 points.
United gets an important road win with what looks like a tough home game approaching on Sunday against the Hawks. The Crocs now have to turn there attention to the New Zealand Breakers on the road who are coming off a loss on Wednesday night against the 36ers.
The Townsville Crocodiles host Melbourne United in Round 1 of the 2015-16 NBL season at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Both teams take different form into the season opener, United having won all three pre-season games at the 2015 NBL Blitz, averaging 95.6 points per game, with new import Stephen Holt named joint MVP.
United beat the Illawarra Hawks, Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings on their way to the pre-season title.
Maybe as expected after a horror off-season, the Crocs have been the opposite, averaging only 63 points per game, and losing to the New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans for a winless Blitz.
The Crocs will try to run the floor and attack the basket with import guard Jordair Jett and MVP power forward Brian Conklin to lead the way. The powerfully built Conklin returned to the Crocs last season and took the NBL by storm.
United welcome a star import or two themselves this season, with 206 centimetre former NBA player Hakim Warrick and versatile guard Stephen Holt joining.
Holt played NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks, putting in some impressive performances, and before that was playing with Cleveland Cavaliers affiliate Canton Chargers in the D-League.
Warrick spent eight years in the NBA playing for Memphis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte and New Orleans, averaging 9.4 points per game over his career.
Melbourne, under new coach Dean Demopoulos, have worked hard on ball movement this off-season, as last year it was stagnant. This sets up an interesting battle with two different play styles.
The big question heading into this one is will the Crocodiles’ run-and-gun style, or United’s selective ball movement be more effective?
Prediction
Melbourne United to start the season with a road win by a comfortable 10 points.
Join The Roar for our live blog of this match from 7:30pm (AEDT) and if you’re following along, be sure to add a comment of your own below.
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Game wrap. Melbourne United powered home to defeat the Townsville Crocs at Townsville Entertainment Arena on friday night. Melbourne started strong and jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter before a Brian Conklin led comeback put the Crocs in front by a point early in the third quarter. Conklin showed why he was last seasons MVP by scoring 25 points and 5 rebounds shooting 9-17 from the field. United was able to steady riding a wave of three's hit from Todd Blanchfield and with Hakim Warrick working hard inside They were able to take control of the game. Blanchfield was hitting everything on his way to collecting a game high 29 points. Hakim Warrick who started his first NBL game on the bench came on and had a massive impact scoring 21 points. United gets an important road win with what looks like a tough home game approaching Sunday against the Hawks. The Crocs now have to turn there attention to the New Zealand Breakers on the road who are coming off a loss on Wednesday night against the 36ers. Both games will be covered on Sunday from theroar.com.au team. Please join on again tomorrow for more hoops action from 5.30pm. Jason dowlin Follow me on Twitter @jased1973.
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Big double header tomorrow night on theroar.com.au. Firstly the Sydney Kings play Cairns Taipans from Qantas Credit Union Arena and you can join Tony from 5.30pm (AEDT) for live comments and scores. And then from 7.30pm I'm covering the Adelaide 36ers who host the Perth Wildcats from Adelaide Arena and that's (AEDT). Thank you for joining me tonight. Game wrap will follow shortly. Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @jased1973. Good night and look forward to tomorrow night.
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
nice win on the road to United,dominated the start and the crocs pulled it back to hit the front, but Melbourne steadied and were well led from blanchfield to end up winners by 15 points. Tomorrow night more NBL action awaits
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
High scorers for both teams: Crocs Conklin 25,steindl 13, djeric 11 and Jett 8. United : blanchfield 29,Warrick 21,holt 17 and kickert 9. Rebounders: Leading the crocs : steindl with 7 and Kay 6. And for United: majok 13 and blanchfield 8. Assists for crocs Maynard and Norton with 2, whole for United a massive 11 for Goulding led the way.
Chris
Guest
Thanks for keeping me up to date
Scott Pryde
Expert
Melbourne really ran away with that one in the second half! Huge win. I'm spewing I left Blanchfield out of my dream team Thanks for the call Jason.
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Todd blanchfield wins the MVP for tonight. 29 points,8 rebounds and 1 assist
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Steindl hits a two to finish the game. Melbourne wins. Crocs 84 United 99 Time left: game over
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Steindl is fouled with 34 seconds to go. Hits both free throws. Crocs 80 United 99 Time left:1
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Djeric two point jumper. Maynard with defensive board. Norton hits back to back twos for crocs. Hadziomerovic fouled. Hits both free throws. Crocs 80 United 98 Time left:1
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Maynard three for crocs. One hand jam from hakim Warrick and a foul called. Hits free throw. Crocs 76 United 97 Time left:1
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Three from djeric. Kickert hits a three for United. Norton jump shot short. Blanchfield with the defensive board. Conklin subbed out. Blanchfield pull up jumper for two. Crocs 73 United 94 Time left:2
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Kickert tip in for two. Time out. Crocs 70 United 89 Time left:3
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Warrick travel turn over. Conklin with a spin hits two. Goulding miss. Conklin another two for crocs. Crocs 70 United 87 Time left:3
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Blanchfield another three. 27 points. Conklin hits a two. Maynard miss. Foul on majok. Free throws to Conklin. Hits 1 of 2. Crocs 65 United 87 Time left:5
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Blanchfield hits a two. Norton turns over ball. Blanchfield picks up foul. Time out. Crocs 63 United 84 Time left:6
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Hadziomerovic hits a three. He now has free throws and hits one. Crocs 63 United 82 Time left:7
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Crocs 63 United 78 Time left:8
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Blanchfield hits a three Crocs 63 United 75 Time left: 8
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Nice quarter from United as they hold a 9 point lead heading into the last quarter,massive Friday night finish coming. Leading scorers: Crocs Conklin 18 United blanchfield 19