Melbourne United remain undefeated in the NBL with a 9-0 record after beating the New Zealand Breakers in a dramatic and controversial finish.
REPORT: MELBOURNE WIN THRILLER
The Breakers were just one point up when two concurrent fowls saw first the Breakers then United have game-changing shots.
Alex Pledger sank one of his two free-throws to give the Breakers a two-point advantage, before Chris Goulding brought the game back to a tie at the other end.
With 9.2 seconds left on the clock United had possession and went forward, only for Stephen Holt to be fouled and have two free-throws to win the game with 1.1 seconds left.
Holt nailed the first shot and while he missed the second, United were able to control the ball before the buzzer and take the win.
Final score
Melbourne United 87
New Zealand Breakers 86
The New Zealand Breakers are hitting form, with star Corey Webster back showing his stuff, but they face the best team in the NBL, the 8-0 Melbourne United. Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for live updates and commentary.
The Breakers have won all three games since Corey Webster’s return and he is averaging a dominant 25.7 points, four rebounds and two assists.
However they face a huge challenge when they come up against the undefeated Melbourne United, especially given that they’ll be doing it on Australian soil.
The Breakers had a 10-point win at home over Adelaide earlier in the week, but now face the toughest test in the NBL, coming up against United.
It’s the first time this season that the two teams have met, and United have recorded a win over every other side in the league.
United have gone 8-0 on the back of Chris Goulding, Damien Kickert and Todd Blanchfield and their ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck when challenged, hitting the big shots at key times.
Their most recent victory came earlier in the week against the Sydney Kings, an 11-point win on the road.
It was only the second time so far this season that they’ve played an away match, and today’s match against the Breakers will be their seventh home match for the season to date.
They’re the dominant force in the NBL right now but the Breakers look to be as likely a challenger as there could be from the pack below them on the table.
While they’ve only won four of their seven matches so far this season their recent record has been excellent and they’ll be priming themselves to make a real go of it.
It will be their first away win for the season if they can pull it off. Along with the Sydney Kings they’re one of only two sides in the league yet to win an away match.
Prediction
The Breakers will be pushed hard, but United’s ability to hit the big shots at crucial times will get them across the line.
United by 5 points.
Matt Gates
Roar Pro
And the flopper of the year award goes to... ??
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Melbourne United 87 New Zealand Breakers 86
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Game wrap: Just when you thought the NBL season couldn't get any better United and the Breakers played out another drama filled close game in front of 10,000 fans at Hisense arena. The Breakers come to play early and took control while United looked a little flat, United were able to claw their way back to be only 3 points down at quarter time 22-25. Second quarter ebbed and flowed with United taking a 48-43 lead into the main break. In the third the Breakers took complete control and stunned the large crowd in attendance, led by Captain Tom Abercrombie (24 points), Cedric Jackson with 16 points,14 rebounds and 10 assists and Charles Jackson 13 points and 7 rebounds the Breakers took a 68-62 lead into three quarter time. The final quarter was action packed and exciting as United marched back into the game. The game turned on its head when Majok fouled Alex Pledger to put him on the line to shoot free throws but just after the foul Corey Webster appeared to knock over Chris Goulding, eventually being called for unsportsmanlike behaviour and fouled, Pledger only hit one of his two free throws before Chris Goulding stepped up and Cooley put both of his free throws in to level the scores at 86-86, but with the Webster foul the ball was handed to United with just 10 seconds on the clock, Stephen Holt was fouled on his way to the basket with just 0.1 second on the clock and hit one of his two attempts to ice the contest. United are now 9-0 to start the season and the Breakers will need to bounce back from the heart break of losing this game. Jason dowlin
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wow. Another classic game. This NBL season is insane
Josh
Expert
I think we have had a new game of the year three times in ten days.
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Hadziomerovic had 8 points 3 big steals and 2 rebounds
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Another classic Josh, this season is full of drama and it just keeps lifting a level
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me for another classic NBL game, United are now 9-0 with the great 1 point win today,game wrap will follow later,remember to check in during the week for all your NBL needs. This season is amazing and I can hardly wait for the next instalment, thanks again and enjoy the rest of your weekend
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Summary Game Summary Melbourne United New Zealand Breakers 28/76 (36%) Field Goals 33/75 (44%) 8/32 (25%) 3 Points 9/24 (37%) 23/31 (74%) Free Throws 11/19 (57%) 42 Rebounds 47 12 Assists 15 8 Steals 6 3 Blocks 3 9 Turnovers 13 19 (24) Fouls (Fouls On) 24 (19) 36 Points in the Paint 32 11 Second Chance Points 11 9 Points off Turnovers 14
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Melbourne United STARTERS FG REB AS ST BS PTS S. Holt 4-13 7 3 0 0 21 T. Blanchfield 2-8 5 1 1 0 5 D. Kickert (C) 3-12 6 0 0 1 8 M. Majok 2-4 10 1 2 0 8 C. Goulding 8-19 5 2 1 1 21 BENCH FG REB AS ST BS PTS E. Golong 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 I. Hadziomerovic 2-2 2 1 3 0 8 C. Patton 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 N. Tomlinson 2-8 2 4 0 0 6 K. Adnam 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Hill 0-2 3 0 1 0 0 G. Jackson 5-8 2 0 0 1 10 TEAM TOTALS 28-76 42 12 8 3 87 Coach: Dean Demopoulos Points from Turnovers: 9 Points in the Paint: 36 Assistant: Mike Kelly, Simon Mitchell Second Chance Points: 11 Fast Break Points: 2New Zealand Breakers STARTERS FG REB AS ST BS PTS C. Jackson 6-13 14 10 2 0 16 C. Webster 7-22 2 3 2 1 15 T. Abercrombie (C) 10-18 8 0 1 0 24 C. Jackson 4-5 7 0 0 1 13 A. Pledger 3-7 7 1 0 1 9 BENCH FG REB AS ST BS PTS E. Bartlett 2-5 1 0 0 0 6 R. Te Rangi 1-5 6 1 1 0 3 S. McDonald 0-0 2 0 0 0 0 T. Wynyard 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Ngatai 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 TEAM TOTALS 33-75 47 15 6 3 86 Coach: Dean Vickerman Points from Turnovers: 14 Points in the Paint: 32 Assistant: Paul Henare, Second Chance Points: 11 Fast Break Points: 0 Commisioner: Referees: Legend POS: Position Played, MIN Minutes Played, FG: Field Goals, FG%: Field Goal Percentage, 3P: 3 Point Field Goals, 3%: 3 Point Percentage, FT: Free Throws, FT%: Free Throw %, OFF: Offensive Rebounds, DEF: Defensive Rebounds, REB: Total Rebounds, AS: Assists, TO: Turnovers, ST: Steals, BS: Blocked Shots, PF: Fouls, PTS: Total Points, EFF: Efficiency, ▌ On Court
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Goulding and holt with 21 points, hadziomerovic gets 14 in a great game from him
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
I'm speechless............... MVP Chris Goulding
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
United 87 Breakers 86 Time left: final score
Josh
Expert
What a game! Chris Goulding's emmy nomination is in the mail...
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Missed the second but United ball. They have won a classic. WOW
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
United 87 Breakers 86 Time left:0.1 Quarter: 4th
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Holt gets the first
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Holt to shoot free throws with 0.1 secs remaining
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Pledger fouled out
Jason Dowlin
Roar Guru
Holt fouled going to the basket. WHAT?