Landale masterclass puts United in the final

Star-man Jock Landale inspired Melbourne United to a comeback 84-74 victory against South East Melbourne Phoenix to guide his team into the NBL Grand Final against Perth Wildcats.

With the series all-square at 1-1, it was do-or-die time for both teams with all the season resting on one match of basketball.

The big favourites were Melbourne United, who were the first team to qualify for the play-offs and finished top of the league with 28 wins from 36 games in the regular season.

3 more wins! #TimeToUnite

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) June 15, 2021

The match

But that did not matter when they went 24-14 down after the first quarter with Keifer Sykes scoring eight points. It got worse for United, who were 17 points down at the beginning of the second quarter after back-to-back three-pointers from Izayah Le’Afa.

But Dean Vickerman’s side showed their mettle and fought back. Landale scored 12 points in the second quarter to put United within five points of Phoenix at half-time.

The 25-year-old scored another eight points in the third quarter as his side took control of the game. He was supported by Chris Goulding in his 350th NBL game, who added 14 points.

The hosts led by one point going into the fourth quarter and they controlled the final quarter with a commanding display.

Goulding and Yudai Baba scored triples in the final quarter to give United a 10-point win and a place in the Grand Final.

Player stats

Landale scored 27 points in the game, as well as eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Mitch McCarron contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Scotty Hopson nine points and six rebounds, and Jo Lual-Acuil eight points and three rebounds.

For the Phoenix, Reuben Te Rangi put in a strong performance with a season-best 22 points and six rebounds.

Perth Wildcats advance to final

United will play Perth Wildcats in the final after they beat the Illawarra Hawks 79-71. Todd Blanchfield scored 21 points for the Wildcats to put them 46-32 in front at half-time, but the Hawks responded in the third quarter to reduce the lead to four points going into the final quarter.

Mitch Norton scored two triples to settle the Wildcats nerves and put them on track for their third successive NBL title. They won the Championships in 2019 and 2020.

𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑩𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑫

The Perth Wildcats have secured a spot in the #NBL21 Grand Final, their 9th Grand Final appearance in the last 12 seasons! #BuiltForFinals pic.twitter.com/3evbwbbK2G

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) June 14, 2021

The final

The series against Perth Wildcats will be five matches, starting in Perth on Friday, It is Melbourne United’s third Grand Final in four years, winning in 2018 but falling short in 2019.

🗓 Put em’ in your calendars United fans. The Wildcats will host the first two. #TimeToUnite pic.twitter.com/JXgvSXL3i7

— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) June 15, 2021