Mitsubishi Match Recap: NBL25 Round 8, Game 1 v Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne United has extended their winning streak against the Brisbane Bullets to 12 games on Thursday evening.

Playing in front of an excited Bullets crowd, United started the game slowly, finding themselves trailing by eight points less than 5 minutes into the game.

A pair of threes from Chris Goulding, as well as a thunderous slam from Marcus Lee helped push Melbourne back into the game before a Kyle Bowen floater gave the visitors the lead.

Another tough finish from Lee and a Tanner Krebs mid-range make allowed United to hold onto this advantage heading into the quarter-time break.

Having taken command of the momentum late in the first, Melbourne kept up the pressure to start the second period.

Loe continued to build on his best scoring half with United, sinking a pair of threes to bring his total up to 16 points.

Goulding also got in on the long-range action, cashing his third and fourth triples of the evening.

Inside the arc, Jack White showcased some aggression, slicing through the paint for a pair of layups and crashing the glass to the tune of 10 first-half rebounds.

The Bullets were however able to stay in the game through their work at the free-throw line, where they connected on 15 of 17 attempts to cut Melbourne’s lead to seven points at half-time.

In what was already a fast-paced affair, the game went to another level after the major break.

Dellavedova and Goulding combined for 14 quick points as they attacked Brisbane’s full-court pressure. 

Ian Clark also worked his way inside, connecting on a pair of floaters, but it was Loe who once again broke the game open for Melbourne.

In his 193rd career-game, Loe caught fire, splashing three more three-pointers in the final three minutes of the quarter to bring his total up to 25 points and give United a 85-71 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Not content with just setting a new career-high in three-pointers, Loe went to work to start the final period, connecting on two free-throws to equal his previous best before knocking down a three to, for the first time in his NBL career, register a 30-point game.

This, along with some powerful finishes around the basket from White and a tremendous defensive performance from Shea Ili, propelled United to a comfortable 120-103 victory.

Melbourne will be back on the floor on Saturday evening from 8pm for their Indigenous Round matchup with the Perth Wildcats at John Cain Arena.

Tickets remain available here.