United post season-high score in thumping of rivals

Friday, December 15, 2023

Melbourne United had seven scorers in double figures as they posted their season-high tally.

Melbourne United have underlined their status as NBL title favourites with a brutal 106-78 demolition of city rivals the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The ladder leaders exploded out of the blocks on Thursday night, with ringleader Chris Goulding and import Ian Clark outstanding during United's first-half flex at John Cain Arena.

MVP candidate Goulding pulled out a series of party tricks in a dominant 35-18 opening period, and the lead swelled to as much as 25 points before half-time.

Clark poured in 13 points off the bench and was a perfect 3-of-3 from long range when United led 66-46 at the main break.

Matthew Dellavedova was floored by a huge Alan Williams screen early, but the NBA championship winning guard thrilled, with an alley-oop pass to Ariel Hukporti one of his seven assists in the first half.

South East Melbourne's night got worse before half-time when Gary Browne was hit with a technical foul for flopping, and coach Mike Kelly copped another from the bench.

Browne fought hard all night in a losing cause, leading all scorers with 22 points, and threatened to reignite the contest early in the second half.

But the import guard couldn't drag his teammates with him and Melbourne always kept their opponents at a safe distance.

United had plenty of significant contributors to their highest score of the season, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (17 points), Clark (15), Goulding (15) and Luke Travers (13) among seven in double figures.

Lual-Acuil Jr also had eight rebounds and a career-high seven blocks, and was involved in an absorbing battle with Williams, who finished with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.

The result kept United (12-3) on track for a regular-season clean sweep of the Phoenix (8-7) after a third derby win from as many attempts.

Both sides are back in action on Saturday, with Melbourne hosting the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena under new coach Scott Ninnis.

The Phoenix are set to be bolstered by new import Abdel Nader when they take on Illawarra at Traralgon.

Former NBA wing Nader arrived in Australia on Thursday to be in the country in the first time in his life, but with the chance to workout with the team on Friday, he is a chance to play on Saturday.

However, the Phoenix face a nervous wait over the fitness of captain Mitch Creek who came off with a knee complaint late in the contest just to compound matters further.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 11

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 78 (Browne 22, Creek 12, Williams 12)

MELBOURNE UNITED 106 (Lual-Acuil Jr 17, Goulding 15, Clark 15)

BOX SCORE