Melbourne United are still likely to be understrength when they host the struggling New Zealand Breakers to tip-off Round 5. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
United have struggled to live up to lofty expectations this season, and already being almost a quarter of the way through their season, they need to turn things around.
The task of turning their form line into something resembling consistency isn’t going to get any easier, though, with guard Chris Goulding still missing from action.
He was injured a fortnight ago, and after a slow start to the season did look to be turning things around.
Since then, United’s stars – David Andersen and former Breaker Cedric Jackson – have put in good performances, but only in patches which certainly hasn’t been enough.
When you consider the depth of United, the last place they want to be is outside the top four with just three wins from their first seven matches.
To put it bluntly, they haven’t been performing and their loss to the Cairns Taipans on the road last weekend proved that. Their attack is not creative, and they are throwing up far too many poor shots.
While their effort rebounding and on defence has been solid, it’s also open to lapses and unless Jackson can play solidly at the point it’s difficult to see them piling up enough points.
Maybe the storyline of this game, as it was when the Breakers picked up a four-point win against United in Round 1 in Auckland, is that of Jackson facing his former team.
Along with Tai Wesley, the pair were poached from the Breakers by United over the off-season, and once again there will be plenty of feeling in the clash.
The Breakers, despite having some amazing shooting talent in Corey Webster, Kirk Penney, Ben Woodside, Akil Mitchell and Robert Loe, have struggled badly.
The shooting that was supposed to be so exciting for the Breakers has struggled to build any consistency, and apart from their season opener against Melbourne, their defence in the paint has been soft.
For the first time this season, though, they finally started to click as an offensive unit, running up a massive 119 points on the Adelaide 36ers.
While Adelaide’s defence has been poor at best this season, the Breakers’ attack in that game was devastating and must remain that way if they want to get over the inconsistent Melbourne defence, with Penney and Webster leading the way from beyond the arc.
Prediction
While you normally wouldn’t go against Melbourne at home, no Goulding makes life difficult for them and I can’t see their defence slowing down the Breakers now they have found some cohesion.
Breakers by 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 5 opener from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016-17 NBL Season as the New Zealand Breakers picked up a six point win on the road in overtime against Melbourne United. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. We have a double header coming your way in the NBL tomorrow. Sam Walker will be here to bring you the Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings match at 7:30pm, and i'll be back at 9:30pm for the Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers battle of the west. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The New Zealand Breakers have survived a Melbourne United offensive storm during the third quarter to take a come from behind six-point victory in overtime at Hisense Arena. The Breakers started the game in fine form, bolting out of the gates and leading by ten points midway through the first quarter, but it simply wouldn't last as Kyle Adnam fired United to life. On the back of their shooters - namely Thomas Abercrombie and Kirk Penney, the Breakers had a ten point lead at the end of the first, with Alex Pledger causing plenty of damage inside. Adnam then led United through the second and third quarters, with David Andersen and Nate Tomlinson adding plenty and along with Majok Majok doing his job United were only down by one at the halftime break, before leading by eight at three quarter time. The Breakers motored back into the match during the final quarter though with shot after shot falling before they forced overtime with Ramone Moore missing the final shot of regular time. Rob Loe would hit two massive threes in overtime, and United simply couldn't defend well enough or answer back to get the win. Final Score Melbourne United 92 New Zealand Breakers 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Alex Pledger is our man of the match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME United go to Tomlinson and then Wesley who miisses the triple from the wing and that'll do it! The Breakers win in overtime! What a match. Melbourne United - 92 New Zealand Breakers - 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Kirk Penney to the line and he makes both. United - 92 Breakers - 98
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Another quick foul. Down to 8 seconds now. United - 92 Breakers - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Cedric now on the ball and he has turned it over in the paint. Abercrombie runs the open floor and hits the dunk! Inside the final 20 seconds and a shocking three from Wesley misses. That'll just about do it. Quick foul, 9 seconds to go though. United - 92 Breakers - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Melbourne now and this is a massive possession right now. Moore with the inbound and he finds Jackson who backs down and draws the foul on Webster. Points won't count though. United - 92 Breakers - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Ben Woodside will not be back tonight. In a lot of pain there. United - 92 Breakers - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' 35 seconds on the clock, 2 point game and United call time. United - 92 Breakers - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Wesley now on the end of a sloppy possession puts up a poor shot and it goes across the baseline. The Breakers now with it through Vukona and Webster who goes to LOE and HE HITS IT AGAIN! ANOTHER THREE! BREAKERS UP BY 2! WOW WOW WOW. United - 92 Breakers - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' LOE! Massive three from the top. United - 92 Breakers - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' Penney now with a shot from the corner and that misses before Loe is there to pick up the crumbs and hit the put back. Tomlinson now across the lane to MAJOK and he lays it in. United - 92 Breakers - 88
Scott Pryde
Expert
1 OT 2' Jackson now backs down on Webster, creates some space and hits the shot. United - 90 Breakers - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
1 OT 2' Mitchell makes a shot before there are misses at both ends. Quick foul called on Odigie as he drives the floor. Looks like Woodside has rolled his ankle as well and is on his way off the court. United - 88 Breakers - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
1 OT 3' Cedric Jackson! Massive three, then the Breakers with a quick miss before Wesley knocks down a shot over Pledger. United - 88 Breakers - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 4' Pledger makes one. United - 83 Breakers - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 4' United with a quick miss before Mitchell misses from close range. offensive board before Pledger goes into the paint and draws the foul. United - 83 Breakers - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 4' Underway in overtime then. Breakers start with possession and Abercrombie along the baseline before Penney goes over the sideline.