United open HoopsFest beating JackJumpers

Matthew Dellavedova has opened HoopsFest in grand style, scoring 21 points to lead Melbourne United to an 88-79 win over Tasmania JackJumpers in their Championship Series rematch in Perth.

United led by just two points at half-time of Thursday night’s contest to open the new NBL season, but 12 points from Dellavedova, fresh off playing for the Boomers at Paris 2024, in the third quarter broke the contest wide open.

It was fitting that Dellavedova played the match-winning role, given it was his half-court buzzer-beater attempt in Game 5 of the Championship Series that narrowly missed.

Had that gone in, Melbourne would have been crowned champions.

Instead, it was the JackJumpers who celebrated their maiden crown in the most dramatic of Championship Series deciders.

Dellavedova ensured there would be no repeat, and he had plenty of help from Jack White (14 points, seven rebounds) and Shea Ili (14 points).

Former JackJumper Marcus Lee was up against his old team and relished his battle with Will Magnay, including one play where he blocked his shot up one end and threw down an alley-up finish in the other.

Lee finished with eight points and five rebounds with fellow centre Rob Loe having seven points, eight boards and four assists to help United to win the rebound count and score 18 second chance points.

For Tasmania, Milton Doyle top-scored with 23 points, while Anthony Drmic nailed 14 first-half points and Olympian Magnay tallied 14 points and six rebounds.

A dazed Magnay was forced off in the dying minutes following an accidental clash of heads with an opponent.

Tasmania had already entered the match bruised and battered following a hectic pre-season that saw them play games at the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast and FIBA’s Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.

Guard Sean Macdonald arrived in Perth in a moon boot, while new import Craig Sword (concussion) was also ruled out of the season opener.

Both sides looked rusty early as open shots were missed and sloppy passing was the norm.

Explosive guard Jordon Crawford’s sizzling dribbling skills stood out as the JackJumpers opened up a 16-10 lead.

Melbourne hit back with a 13-0 run which helped them take a three-point lead into quarter-time.

United veteran Chris Goulding came off the bench after an interrupted pre-season and suffered a scare late in the opening term hurting his right ankle after an opponent fell on it, but he was able to shake off the setback.

Melbourne's lead stretched to nine points early in the third term as Dellavedova nailed seven quick points to put United in the box seat.

Magnay picked up his fourth foul with six minutes still remaining in the third, and Dellavedova’s hot hand continued as the margin swelled to as much as 14 points.

JackJumpers championship winning captain Clint Steindl nailed a couple of quick shots to start the last quarter to whittle the margin back to eight points, but United had all the answers.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2024/25

MELBOURNE UNITED 88 (Dellavedova 21, White 14, Ili 14)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 79 (Doyle 23, Magnay 14, Drmic 14)

BOX SCORE