Melbourne on the brink of championship
Melbourne United are just one win away from winning the NBL Championship after showing their class against Perth Wildcats, winning 83-74.
2-0. Time to come home. #TimeToUnite
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) June 20, 2021
They won to go 2-0 up in the Grand Final series and have the opportunity of winning the title on home soil in one of the next three games.
The Wildcats were dealt a tough blow pre-game when Bryce Cotton, Clint Steindl and Luke Travers were ruled out through injury.
The match
But they began strongly, taking a 28-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Melbourne showed their class to respond, and were level at half-time following a triple from Yudai Baba.
Melbourne pulled away at the beginning of the third quarter, but Perth stayed within five points after a fourth three-pointer from Kevin White.
📸 GAME TWO 📸
Today we fly home! #TimeToUnite pic.twitter.com/Xpm7OidbHU— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) June 20, 2021
Chris Goulding took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring two triples to take the game away from Perth.
Perth were missing players with the X-factor and quality to score points and it proved to be the case as they failed to reach 80 points for the seventh successive game.
Player stats
Chris Goulding was once again influential, scoring 21 points, including four three-pointers.
Yudai Baba added 15 points for the visitors while Jock Landale made 12.
Dean Vickerman’s side couldn’t cope with Todd Blanchfield in the opening game, where he scored 27 points. But they paid more attention to him in Game 2, stifling Perth’s best player as he scored only 13 points.
John Mooney top-scored for the Wildcats with 17 points, as well as making 10 rebounds and four assists.
