The two best teams of the 2017/2018 NBL season square off in the best of five grand final series. Melbourne United who sat atop the ladder at the end of the season will host the second place Adelaide 36ers. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 7:30pm AEDT.
Both teams had to fight off tough rivals in New Zealand and Perth in the first round of the finals and both teams managed to sweep both series.
Melbourne travelled to New Zealand to close out a tough game against the Breakers, Adelaide went west and after a big Game 1 win they had to come back late in the game to edge out the reigning champs by 1 point.
With such a storied history between these two teams there is always some excitement when both squads take the floor against each other, throw in a finals atmosphere and these two teams will look to ratchet up the physicality as well as the entertainment.
Melbourne are coming off the trip to New Zealand however they have had an extra weeks worth of rest to recover from any potential niggles sustained during the first round.
Adelaide have less of a break but they managed to come through the first round without any major concerns, with the series against Perth being less physical than expected they won’t be as in bad shape as they could have.
How the 36ers will compete again Josh Boone is the biggest question coming into the series, the Melbourne big man has been impressive all season and is the anchor that gets Melbourne’s high powered offence going.
Can the Melbourne team put the brakes on the 36ers incredible fast break play? Their 4 man breaks are almost impossible for teams to control and they will be looking to use the spread attack to catch the Melbourne team off guard as often as possible.
Both teams want the first game victory and get their finals momentum going into the second game. With teams historically going on to win the finals after a game 1 victory this will be a crucial game in shaping up the finals series for both sides.
Prediction
This is a tough finals series to call as both teams have an incredible high powered offence as well as a stingy defence that can clamp down opponents.
The difference in this game could very well be Josh Boone and with him playing at a high level he will be hard to contain for Adelaide.
Melbourne United by 3.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Melbourne draw first blood in the opening game of the grand final series cruising to a 107-96 win over the Adelaide 36ers. What started out as a tough contest between the two teams with multiple lead changes saw the Melbourne United team put the pedal to the floor and crush Adelaide in the final term. Melbourne led at every change but it wasn't until the final quarter that they were able to put away Adelaide for good. Despite a 1 rebound difference between both teams Melbourne absolutely dominated the offensive rebounds and that was a big factor in the final scoreline. Casper Ware sent a scare through Melbourne fans as he went off injured in the first quarter and wouldn't return until the 2nd half. Adelaide has a lot to work on before game 2 on Sunday. Thanks for joining me, and to recap Melbourne with a big 11 point win over Adelaide.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Prather made a 3 point shot as time expired but i am not sure if it has counted or not. Doesn't affect the result at all as Melbourne cruised to a 107-96 win in game 1 of the Grand Final series.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Casper Ware with two made free throws. Moore fouls Goulding and he makes both of his baskets. Melbourne 107 Adelaide 96.
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Roar Guru
Back to 7 as Moore scores for Adelaide. Time is not Adelaide's friend right now. Melbourne 103 Adelaide 96.
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Roar Guru
Another offensive rebound to Boone and some matador defence from Adelaide and Goulding gets it back to a 9 point lead. Melbourne 103 Adelaide 94.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Plenty of time left and if any team can do it the 36ers are that team. This could be exciting.
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Roar Guru
Shorter with a midrange shot. A turnover by United and Creek slams the fast break. Back to 7 points with 1:37 remaining. Melbourne 101 Adelaide 94.
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Childress with a 3 for the 36ers. Back to an 11 point lead. Melbourne 101 Adelaide 90. 2:15 to play.
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Melbourne with a 14 point lead with just under 3 minutes to go. Melbourne 101 Adelaide 87.
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You don't that often Sobey going for the rebound tips the ball into the Melbourne basket. Melbourne 99 Adelaide 84.
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Roar Guru
Melbourne is on top of Adelaide and they are running away with it. Boone hits the layup gets fouled and makes the free throw. Melbourne 97 Adelaide 82 4:07 remains final quarter.
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Daniel Johnson makes the 2 and is fouled. He makes the free throw. A rebound falls Adelaides way and Shorter scores. Casper Ware goes down the other end and nails a 3 with a hand in his face. Melbourne 94 Adelaide 82. 4:36 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Big Block from Shorter on Wesley but the balls goes back to United and Ware hits a 3 pointer. Melbourne force a turnover and Ware again with the basket. Showing no signs of his injury right now. Melbourne out to a 14 point lead. Melbourne 91 Adelaide 77.
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Roar Guru
Shorter with a 2. Casper Ware responds with a 2 himself. Melbourne 85 Adelaide 77.
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Mitch Creek with a layup, as he lays it in Johnson gets called for a foul and the Adelaide big man will sit with 4 fouls.
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Roar Guru
Daniel Johnson answers right back with a 2.
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David Andersen gets the scoring going in the final quarter. Melbourne out to their biggest lead of the game. Melbourne 81 Adelaide 71.
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Roar Guru
United takes an 8 point lead into the final quarter. 79-71.
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Roar Guru
Melbourne have everything going their way right now. Melbourne 77 Adelaide 71. 30 seconds remains 3rd quarter..
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Sobey makes 1 free throw.