LIVE SCORES | ||
|---|---|---|
| NBLxNBA 2019: Melbourne United vs Sacramento Kings | ||
| Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento | ||
| Match time: Fulltime | ||
| United | vs | Kings |
| 110 | Score | 124 |
| 28 | Q1 | 31 |
| 21 | Q2 | 29 |
| 21 | Q3 | 39 |
| 38 | Q4 | 25 |
The Sacramento Kings have rounded out preparations for their NBA season, with a dominant second half kicking them well clear of a gallant Melbourne United in the final NBLxNBA game.
United 110
Kings 124
The NBLxNBA tour for 2019 will conclude on Thursday afternoon as Melbourne United continue the search for an Australian victory when they take on the Sacramento Kings. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1pm (AEDT).
Sacramento are a team who have been in rebuilding move and are slowly on the improve, but NBA playoffs probably look something of a stretch for them this year, even if they did come away with a victory over the Utah Jazz in their last pre-season game.
Of course, pre-season games must be taken with a grain of salt at all times, and competition-wise, they are going to get a really good hit out here against Melbourne.
Dean Vickerman’s Australian outfit might have started their NBL season back home with something of a shock loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, but looked much-improved during their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
They have a distinctive advantage of playing two games against NBA sides, and after leading through the first half against the Clippers, they should be better equiped to deal with NBA rules in this one, including the 48-minute game, as opposed to their usual 40-minute game.
What we do know ahead of this game though is that United will need to be excellent on the defensive end of the court to stop this turning into a high-scoring blitz.
Sacramento are widely regarded as one of the sides who are likely to be exciting on the offensive end this year, with Bogdan Bogdanovic and the catch-and-shoot weapon Buddy Heild running things.
While Melo Trimble and Chris Goulding are solid in offence as well, if they can’t get their defence right, backed up by Shawn Long in the paint, they may not stand much of a chance here.
However, Goulding’s defence has come on in leaps and bounds, and it’s difficult to write off United given their first half against the stronger Clippers.
Prediction
United are a red-hot chance to claim the first NBL victory in the history of these games. In fact, I’ll go as far as to say they will.
United by 2.
Be sure to join us here on The Roar for live coverage of this NBLxNBA match from 1pm (AEDT), and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Tip-off: 1pm (AEDT)
Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
TV: None
Online: Live, SBS on Demand
Betting: Kings N/A, United $34
Referees: TBC
Melbourne United (expected)
Point guard: Melo Trimble
Shooting guard: Chris Goulding
Small forward: Mitch McCaron
Power forward: Anthony Brown
Centre: Shawn Long
Bench: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, Tohi Smith-Milner, Alex Pledger, Shea Ili, Dillon Stith, Quincy Miller, Sam Short
Sacramento Kings
Point guard: Bogdan Bogdanovic
Shooting guard: Buddy Hield
Small forward: Harrison Barnes
Point forward: Marvin Bagley
Centre: Dewayne Dedmon
Bench: Nemanja Bjelica, Yogi Ferrell, De’Aron Fox, Wenyen Gabriel, Kyle Guy, Richuan Holmes, Justin James, Cory Joseph, Tyler Lydon, Isaiah Pineiro, Caleb Swanigan, Tyler Ulis
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 NBLxNBA tour as the Sacramento Kings got the better of Melbourne United. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow night at 6:20pm (AEDT) for Day 1 of the Rugby League Nines World Cup. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Sacramento Kings have rounded out preparations for their NBA season, with a dominant second half kicking them well clear of a gallant Melbourne United in the final NBLxNBA game. The final 14-point margin was reflective of the second half, with the Kings at one point going on a 36 to 9 point run, but it certainly wasn't the situation of the first half, where, for the first 20 minutes or so, United had claims on being the better team on the floor, regularly holding the lead in a game which went back and forth. A small run leading into halftime gave the Kings some momentum, and the home side bolted away with the contest during the third term. It was a shame for United, who were certainly in the game with the exception of that run, but the NBL again return from the States without a victory over their NBA opposition. United 110 Kings 124
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME And that'll be that. The buzzer beats Melbourne, and they go down by 14 points in a gallant effort at Sacramento. With the exception of one big run, they weren't all that far out of the game. United 110 Kings 124
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Guy now to Holmes, back to Ferrell and he misses for three, before the put back opportunity is turned over by Holmes. Kings - 124 United - 110
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' United with a bucket through Pledger here as we hit the final 60 seconds of the ball game, and United would like to make sure they go down by less than 20 here. Sacramento a miss through Swanigan, then Pledger scores in transition. Kings - 124 United - 110
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 ' Another timeout here. United call for it. Kings - 124 United - 106
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Chris Goulding has been great tonight. He has 25 with another three from the corner. Justin James answers back with a long-range two. Kings - 124 United - 106
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Misses both ways following the timeout, then it's Holmes to Swanigan and his three is no good from the left wing. Kings - 122 United - 103
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Timeout called. Should be the final one of the game. Kings - 103 United - 122
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Kyle Guy sinks another three for the Kings as they get the lid off the basket, then Pledger turns it over as United look to play fast and waste no time. Ferrell now steps on the sideline. Kings - 122 United - 103
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Sacramento with a miss from range through James, then it's Goulding again, he passes off to Smith-Milner and that three is also good. Kings - 119 United - 103
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Guy with a miss for Sacramento, then it's Ili slowing things up. He goes around a screen, then kicks out to Goulding and he makes a three. Kings - 119 United - 100
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' So then, Gabriel out of the game with six fouls, but Luke Walton not happy in the slightest. Having a good old chat with the referee while we wait to see who will check in. Eventually, Holmes comes onto the floor, but Walton really not happy. Anyway, Stith to the line and he makes both. Kings - 119 United - 97
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Swanigan to the free throw line now. He misses both. Kings - 119 United - 95
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Kyle Guy fouled now for a loose ball. Smith-Milner makes one at the line. Kings - 119 United - 95
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Ferrell makes both. Kings - 119 United - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' United lucky not to turn it over, but McCarron saves, passes away to Trimble and he hits a three. Ferrell now into a double team situation and he is fouled. Will go to the line with Sacramento into the bonus. Kings - 117 United - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Ferrell makes all three. Kings - 117 United - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Apologies, back underway here. Couple of buckets at both ends, then Ferrell is fouled shooting for three, so he will go to the line. Kings - 114 United - 91