Melbourne United seal NBL Championship
Melbourne United have been crowned NBL Champions after beating Perth Wildcats 81-76 to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Grand Final Series.
🎉🎉🎉🎉@MelbUnitedHQ #NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/1nRIFxIpy6
— The NBL (@NBL) June 25, 2021
The series has been secured with two games to spare after Melbourne United once again showed their class against an injury-hit Perth Wildcats side.
Melbourne were the best side in the regular season, ending the division on top, and they showed why they are the best side in the NBL with three excellent displays.
It is their first title since 2018.
The match
Melbourne started strongly in front of their home fans and took an 11-2 lead. They led 30-21 at the end of the first quarter.
The second half was more keenly fought and the visitors reduced the deficit to just three points after a dominant quarter. The Wildcats then took the lead at the beginning of the third quarter – but roared on by the home fans – Melbourne scored seven points without reply and were 58-52 ahead with one quarter remaining.
Yudai Baba scored five quick points to put Melbourne 11 points ahead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Perth rallied but were always fighting a losing battle. They got to within three with 52 seconds left, but Landale made sure of victory with a basket with 38 seconds left.
The moment @MelbUnitedHQ became #NBL21 champs 🏆#NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/Cb4kwchE5T
— The NBL (@NBL) June 25, 2021
Londale and Goulding the stars
In all three games, Melbourne demonstrated a resilient streak and a fighting spirit. Jock Landale epitomised that with yet another great performance. He hit the shot to clinch the Championship with 38 seconds left and was later awarded the the Grand Final MVP after scoring 15 points.
Chris Goulding was the leading scorer in the series; he made 13 points including four three-pointers.
Perth fall short but rue injuries
The Wildcats, who were bidding to win their third successive NBL title, fell short this year but had a commendable campaign. They badly missed three-time MVP Bryce Cotton and suffered key injuries to Luke Travers, Clint Steindl and Mitch Norton during the Grand Final Series.
John Mooney stepped up with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Kevin White also scored 14.
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