New Zealand got the job done over Melbourne United on Sunday afternoon giving them a big mental advantage when they face the side again on Thursday when NBL finals begin.
REPORT: BREAKERS PIP UNITED IN LEAD UP TO SEMIS
For Melbourne, Chris Goulding was their best. He had 22, shooting well throughout the game. Once they up their energy level and address their rebounding issues, they will be hard to beat with the home ground advantage next week.
United’s big men will need to step up next week as one of the key stats was points in the paint. Tonight, the Breakers out scored them in this area 34-14, meaning the likes of Warrick and Majok will have to tighten the screws and dominate the paint in the coming week.
Final score
Melbourne United 68
New Zealand Breakers 70
Melbourne United, who are the 2015-16 NBL Minor Premiers, will look to get back to their winning ways as they host the New Zealand Breakers. Join The Roar for all the action from 2:45pm (AEDT).
The two teams met a couple of days ago, with The Breakers taking the spoils in a one-sided affair. Melbourne, deciding to rest three key players, were not themselves and will be looking to rebound back into form.
Strategically, today will be interesting, as these sides are set to meet again in week one of the finals series. Will both sides put their best five on the court, or will mind games be played in the hope of gaining an upper hand for next week?
Melbourne will have home court advantage over the fourth placed Breakers, no matter the result today. United have been huge at home all year, with a record of 11-2 leading into this one. The Breakers have only won four games away from home this season, which could be their Achilles heel. Three of their next four games will be held at Hisense Arena.
If the Breakers are to upset Melbourne away from home, look for Cedric Jackson and Corey Webster to fire. Webster averages 20.7 PPG away from home this season, meaning he is the man the Breakers will be looking for here today.
For Melbourne, it will depend on their mindset heading into the game. With top spot sealed, will they play at full strength or give their stars reduced minutes? Do they play all of their cards now or wait until finals time?
If they come out all guns blazing, look for their point guards to take over once more. Stephen Holt and Chris Goulding have been outstanding all year, if one of the two gets their shot going, it could be lights out for New Zealand. Look for Goulding to be the man, averaging a little over 21 points on his home court this season.
Prediction
I’m predicting Melbourne to be back at full strength, meaning they are my favourites today. I think they’ll be too strong for the Breakers in this one.
Melbourne by 12
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
POST GAME WRAP Tai Wesley is man of the match here tonight in Melbourne, having posted 23 points here tonight. New Zealand were without their star guard and got the job done, which gives them a big mental advantage leading into Thursday's first final. New Zealand's next best was Mika Vukona with 10. The big difference was on the boards, New Zealand, out boarding Melbourne 48-31. That was without Pledger in the 2nd half. For Melbourne, you guessed it, Chris Goulding was their best. He had 22, shooting well throughout the game. Once they up their energy level and address the rebounding issue, they will be hard to beat with the home ground advantage next week. United's big men will need to step up next week as the other key stat was points in the paint. Tonight, the Breakers out scored them in this area 34-14, meaning the likes of Warrick and Majok will have to tighten the screws and dominate the paint in the coming week. Thank you for tuning in, it's finals time! Good luck to all 4 teams involved and may the best team win!
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- FULL TIME UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 70 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 0' NO GOOD, Warrick went for the lay up from a nice inbound play and thats full time UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 70 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 Make it 5.4 to shoot, here comes the inbound UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 70 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 0' last shot New Zealand coming up! Wesley hits the shot after 4 offensive rebounds! Absolutely desperate stuff Wesley has 23! United will have 4.9 to shoot after a TIMEOUT, they'll be looking for the 3 UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 70 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 1' NZ with the 2 down low for Wesley, the game is tied with a minute to go! "No OT seriously guys we don't need extra minutes" says both coaches UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 68 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 1' BANG Kickert hits the 3 to push the lead to 2 UNITED – 68 BREAKERS – 66 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 2' Both teams will be upset if they go to OT here! New Zealand hit the lead with Ili hitting the lay up! UNITED – 65 BREAKERS – 66 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 2' Vukona hits a nice shot from the top of the paint, its back to 1 UNITED – 65 BREAKERS – 64 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 3' Warrick with all the time in the world backs into the paint and dunks to finish, nice move, he's the go to man late here UNITED – 65 BREAKERS – 62 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 3' Kickert breaks the drought and adds a nice 2 Wesley goes the other way, throws down a nice spin move and draws it back to 1 UNITED – 63 BREAKERS – 62 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 4' Vukona with an AFL style specky rebound! Bodies flying everywhere but no one can add to the scoreboard UNITED – 61 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 4' Both sides don't want to lose this one, both rebounding hard. Melbourne ball following a Breakers miss UNITED – 61 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 5' Holt this time draws the foul and goes to the line. Helps United take the lead here UNITED – 61 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 5' Warrick to the line to shoot 2, misses the 1st but hits the 2nd UNITED – 60 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 6' TIMEOUT MELBOURNE UNITED – 59 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 6' Offensive foul on Charles Jackson, he can't set the screen quickly enough. That could be his night done, he has 4 fouls UNITED – 59 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 7' 2 pointers on both ends keeps the score close UNITED – 59 BREAKERS – 60 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 8' BANG! Odigie drains the 3, he hesitated but was too open not to shoot, it's back to 1 BANG! A big block down the other end and Odigie is in this game! UNITED – 57 BREAKERS – 58 ——————————————
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
—————————————- Q4 8' Warrick with the And 1, nice move and finish. He can't finish the 3 point play 65% from the free throw line tonight for United Wesley adds another 2, he's scoring at will UNITED – 54 BREAKERS – 58 ——————————————