Melbourne United is one win away from securing the NBL Championship after they defeated the Illawarra Hawks 83-77 on March 16, 2025, at the WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre. Veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova played heroically, rallying his team with 16 points and 11 assists, showcasing his experience at the most pivotal moments.
The match was electrifying, with the stakes incredibly high as both teams sought to gain the upper hand. Melbourne entered the contest needing to overcome the momentum of the series, which was tied at one game each. After trailing by seven points going to the final quarter, United turned the tide with tenacious play, outscoring Illawarra 23-10.
Jack White was instrumental for Melbourne, finishing as the game's leading scorer with 20 points along with five rebounds. After suffering through a scoreless outing in game two, White revitalized his performance and appeared confident throughout, particularly with two significant three-pointers following intermission. "I think when I’m having fun and I’m not overthinking, I think it brings out the best of me," White said following the game, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the moment.
Illawarra, coached by Justin Tatum, had controlled the first three quarters and seemed poised to secure another win on home soil. The Hawks, led by William Hickey's 12 points, entered the fourth quarter with aspirations of building on their performance but were hindered by the absence of star guard Trey Kell. Kell suffered a knee injury after slipping on the court, which left the Hawks scrambling for solutions at a pivotal juncture.
When Kell went down, Dellavedova quickly capitalized on the situation. He sank three free throws following Kell's injury, stirring his team to victory. This pragmatic approach drew the ire of Tatum, who felt his player's injury was mishandled and criticized Melbourne for exploiting the adversity. "At the end of the day, that's just the difference of respect I guess between Melbourne and the Hawks," Tatum lamented.
Despite Kell's injury, which raised concerns about his availability for game four, Tatum remained optimistic about his team's resilience. “We’ve done it before,” he remarked, referencing earlier season victories without Kell. Nevertheless, it's clear the Hawks face difficulties, as managing the pressure of the stakes grows ever more intense.
The officiation also came under scrutiny, as the Hawks were awarded only eight free throw opportunities to United's 21. These inconsistencies left Tatum unsettled, questioning the fairness of the game as significant fouls impeded his players. “Who cares? Talking to them is irrelevant,” he scoffed when asked about pursuing rectifications with the league, emphasizing the need to focus solely on his team's performance.
Meanwhile, United's coach Dean Vickerman praised Dellavedova's adaptability and capability to shoulder increased responsibility due to the absence of his backcourt partner Shea Ili, who was sidelined due to concussion protocol. "It was unbelievable some of the things he did tonight," Vickerman commented. This level of performance exemplified the veteran's pedigree, reminding fans of his prior NBA success and ability to lead.
Looking forward, Melbourne United has the golden opportunity to secure their first championship title since 2021 as they prepare for game four on Wednesday, March 19, at John Cain Arena. With both the adrenaline of the crowd and the stakes at their highest, the pressure will be on the Hawks to adjust without their star talent.
For Illawarra, the next game presents their biggest challenge yet: rebound mentally and physically from this loss and push back against United’s momentum. Considering the Hawks managed to win at United’s home earlier in the series, the upcoming clash could prove pivotal.
The competition this season has illustrated the unpredictable nature of the finals where each team's adaptability and strategies are heavily tested. With the final showdown looming, both teams must muster everything they have. The fight for the NBL title is heating up.
With both teams facing off again soon, it is clear expectation and excitement will be at maximum levels, and the resilience of each side's core players, particularly Dellavedova for United and potentially Kell for Illawarra, could be the deciding factors.