United bounce back with big finish over Taipans

For 33 minutes the Cairns Taipans looked on track for a third straight win and to hand Melbourne a second consecutive loss, but inspired by Japanese sensation Yudai Baba, United flew home to score the 88-81 NBL Cup victory.

The Taipans raced to an 8-0 start and led the rest of the way up until the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter. But despite not quote firing on all cylinders, United came up big when it mattered to shrug off a dogged Cairns outfit.  

Melbourne did their best work in the fourth quarter to overcome the Taipans on Monday night, escaping with the seven-point win that was sparked with some spectacular play from Baba.

He played stifling defence on Taipans superstar Scott Machado while going on a run of scoring 10 straight Melbourne points to seal the victory after Mitch McCarron (17 points, eight assists, five steals) and Jock Landale (18 points, 11 rebounds with 4/8 shooting from deep) kept them close.

Baba finished the night with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists too as United overcame the continued absence of Chris Goulding and Shea Ili, and another tough night for import Scotty Hopson (eight points, 4/12 shooting) despite him showing flashes early in the fourth quarter.

But Melbourne would be happy to bounce back from Saturday's loss to the Perth Wildcats while the Snakes missed a chance at a third straight win despite a career night from Kouat Noi with 27 points and five rebounds.

Former Duke Blue Devil Jack White (nine points, eight rebounds) sealed the victory with a layup in the final 60 seconds, allowing United head coach Dean Vickerman to exhale for what must have been the first time in four quarters. 

"Certainly, the defence [impressed me most]. We wanted to really make a change how we started the game tonight," Vickerman said.

"We weren't happy with our first quarter against Perth. And we weren't able to fix that. It took until the second quarter when we threw some young guys out there... that had an effect on the group for the second half."

"In the fourth quarter, we showed good composure and we had good pace. Mitch really owned the game down the stretch. Baba was electric. I'm proud of those guys who when things weren't going right, were able to dominate late in the game."

Meanwhile, Taipans coach Mike Kelly was frustrated his team couldn’t finish the job but it's too early for an update on Majok Deng's leg injury.

"We've played three good quarters in a lot of games. I think that comes down to toughness and keeping on the same page as your teammates," Kelly said.

"I don't know what the injury is yet. We haven't evaluated it. I don't think that was a key to us losing as much as Majok is a key for us. They rebounded in the first half and they rebounded in the second half. They got to stuff that we didn't."

Landale was a man on a mission with the Boomers star nailing three three-pointers in the first quarter. However, Cairns’ lockdown defence stifled Landale’s teammates, who struggled to get going as Cairns skipped out to an early lead. 

Taipans dynamic duo Cam Oliver and Scott Machado combined for 14 points in that period and the latter punctuated the strong start with a buzzer-beating three, ensuring the Taipans enjoyed an eight-point lead (25-17). 

Noi remained a thorn in Melbourne’s side. He had 17 first-half points and was 3/6 from beyond the arc. At half-time, the Taipans led by seven points (42-35). 

Oliver made his presence felt (18 points and six rebounds), but foul trouble perhaps blunted his efficiency late. Machado, the NBL’s assists leader, was at his dime-dishing best and had a near double-double with 14 points and nine assists. 

Buoyed by Scotty Hopson’s late spark after a tough first half, United responded. Landale and McCarron combined late to snatch the lead for United in the last with Baba's help.

At 6-1, United remains atop the NBL standings. 

Taipans forward Deng appeared to suffer a knee injury in the first quarter of this match after landing awkwardly while attacking the basket. He bravely insisted on taking both free throws before being helped from the court – but did not return. 

Melbourne has a 72-hour turnaround before facing the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday night. The Taipans (3-6) take on the Perth Wildcats on Friday night as the NBL Cup continues.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 6
NBL CUP WEEK 1

MELBOURNE UNITED 88 (Landale 18, Baba 17, McCarron 17) 

CAIRNS TAIPANS 81 (Noi 27, Oliver 18, Machado 14)

POINTS AWARDED – Melbourne United 6, Cairns Taipans 1

BOX SCORE