DrinkWise Preview: NBL25 - Round 8, Game 1 v Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne United are set to kickstart Round 8 with a matchup on the road against the Brisbane Bullets.

While this will be our first time facing the Bullets this season, we will look to build on our 11-game winning streak against Brisbane.

This will also be an opportunity to climb back into the competition’s top-two with a big win.

For the Bullets, a hard-fought win against the Taipans has the team playing with confidence heading into their fourth home-game of the season. 

HEAR WHAT DEAN VICKERMAN AND MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA HAD TO SAY AHEAD OF THE GAME

WHO’S HOT, WHO’S NOT

(Past five games)
United - L, W, W, W, L

Bullets - L, W, W, L, W

Re-capturing the momentum that saw us string together three consecutive victories is a huge priority heading into Round 8.

This will start at the defensive end, which struggled to stop New Zealand’s varied attack to close Round 7.

Brisbane possess a different skillset to the Breakers however, with their size up front a major focal point. The Bullets have out-rebounded their opponents in each of their three victories this season.

STARS COLLIDE

Since moving to a bench role, Brisbane import guard James Bateman has been a revelation.

The American is averaging 17.3 points per game when leading the Bullets second unit, while shooting the ball at over 57% from beyond the arc.

Looking to match Bateman at both ends will be our own former Best Sixth Man winner, Shea Ili, who is coming off his 250th NBL game on Monday.

In three games against Brisbane last season, Ili averaged just under 10 points per game to go along with 5.7 assists and 50% shooting from three-point land.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Brisbane Bullets

Tip-off: 8pm AEDT, Thursday 7 November, 2024

Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Watch: ESPN via Kayo