Melbourne United secured their place as the second seed on the National Basketball League (NBL) ladder with a thrilling 103-93 victory over local rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday night. The match, held at the packed John Cain Arena, featured drama and momentum shifts, illustrating the fierce rivalry between the two teams.
Entering the matchup, Melbourne United knew they needed to win—though they had the cushion of being able to lose by up to 22 points without losing their position. Early on, it appeared they would face more than just pressure from their opponent. The Phoenix, aiming to spoil Melbourne's playoff hopes, came out swinging and led by as many as 12 points at one point.
United's strong start was quickly met with resistance after taking a 30-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Phoenix’s Ben Ayre, who had been one of the standout players throughout the game, helped push the Phoenix to gain control, scoring impressive baskets. The visitors surged late in the second quarter, eventually leading 54-46 at halftime, following strong contributions from Matt Hurt and Nathan Sobey.
Despite the setback, Melbourne United turned the tide in the second half. After trailing initially, they rallied late in the third quarter with a fierce 12-2 run, driven by their need to hold on to their playoff position. Coach Dean Vickerman recognized the stakes, remarking, "It was a nervous day for me. The goal for this club every year is can we finish top two, and we ticked off the first one."
This resurgence saw United take the lead, with key baskets coming from Shea Ili, who scored 18 points, and Kyle Bowen, who was named the Foot Locker Player of the Game after putting up 15 points and seven rebounds. His electrifying plays rejuvenated the crowd, including monstrous dunks and key rebounds.
The final quarter saw Melbourne capitalizing on their momentum. A three-pointer by Tanner Krebs, who tallied 16 points, solidified United's lead, ensuring they would not falter again. Vickerman acknowledged their focus, stating, "Any time you have a team coming in with nothing to lose, it's really dangerous. We turned it on when it mattered most."
On the Phoenix’s side, the playoff outlook remains tense. Backed by Coach Josh King, their performance was understood more as preparation for the upcoming match against the Perth Wildcats rather than purely about the outcome this night. "We were trying to win the game, but the main focus was to get a good practice and sweat session before we go and play Perth on Tuesday night," King noted post-game. This loss means the Phoenix, who finished the season with a 16-13 record, will have to work harder as they prepare to face another intense matchup.
With this victory, Melbourne United’s record improves to 19-10, solidifying their playoff position without the added stress of play-in matches, showcasing their resilience and teamwork right when it was needed. The win secures their chance at the semifinals against the winner of the upcoming matchup, ensuring their campaign for the championship remains intact.
The match signifies not only the intensity of the rivalry but also sets the stage for the playoffs, with both teams now eager to push for success. United's continued focus and performance will be pivotal as they advance, seeking to leverage this late-season momentum.