Melbourne United vs Townsville Crocodiles: NBL results, scores, blog

Match results:

Melbourne United have smashed the Townsville Crocodiles by 31 points at Hisense Arena in Melbourne, as we saw what will be one of the most one sided games this season.

The win moves United to 4-0 for the season, while Townsville drop to 1-4. A lot of things needed to go right for Townsville to have any chance of winning. However, unfortunately for them, not much did go right.

The game was effectively over by half time, with United leading by 27 points.

Townsville had no answers for Daniel Kickert, who had 20 points at the main break. If he wasn’t nailing three’s, he was killing them inside. Stephen Holt was brilliant again, finishing with 19 points and Majok Majok grabbed every rebound in sight, ending up with an incredible 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play.

Melbourne killed the Crocodiles with superior ball movement and 3-point shooting – finishing the night with 13-32 from downtown.

For Townsville, Clint Steindl had the hot hand late in the game, going 5-8 from behind the arc, en route to 19 points, but it was too little too little. The firepower United possess was just too much for a Townsville side that seems destined to finish at the foot of the table.

It doesn’t get any easier for Townsville, who now have to travel to Perth to play an undefeated Wildcats side. United stay at home facing the Cairns Taipans on Saturday night.

Will the Taipans put up a fight? Can they beat this all conquering Melbourne United side? Can anyone beat them?

Unfortunately for the rest of the competition the answer seems to be no. This might be the most dominant NBL team we’ve seen in many years. While it’s drastically early to hand out championship trophies, Melbourne should be an un-backable favourite.

Final score:

Melbourne United 93
Townsville Crocodiles 62

Match preview:

In the second game of a Wednesday night doubleheader, Melbourne United take on the Townsville Crocodiles at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).

United come into the match looking like one of the most dominant NBL teams we’ve seen in recent memory.

When you see Hakim Warrick coming off the bench, you know this team is strong. Melbourne has so many weapons to throw at opposing teams.

Todd Blanchfield, Chris Goulding and Daniel Kickert can all kill you from behind the arc. Hakim Warrick is a matchup nightmare inside, Majok Majok is grabbing every defensive rebound in sight and Stephen Holt’s playmaking and outside shooting are on another level.

On paper, the Crocs have very little chance of winning the game, but the game isn’t played on paper.

Out on the court anything can happen.

Townsville showed us that against the Sydney Kings last week. Sydney, fresh off a monster win against Cairns, went into the game as raging favourites but were overrun by a gutsy Crocs outfit.

For Townsville to win, they’re going to need their star man, Brian Conklin, to have a big game.

Melbourne has shown a weakness against teams with big guys in the post. In fact, Conklin himself put up 25 points on United in their Round 1 matchup. The Crocs will need more of that tonight.

They’ll also need the likes of Clint Steindl, Mirko Djeric and Leon Henry to get hot from the 3-point line while hoping Melbourne has an off shooting night. If those things happen, Townsville is a chance.

Goliath beat David in their first round encounter, can the Crocs strike back and hit United between the eyes?

Join us to find out, live from 7:30pm (AEDT).