Delly’s hot start in triumphant return as United claim big win against NBL arch rivals

Matthew Dellavedova made a triumphant return to the NBL on Thursday night time, guiding a new-look Melbourne United to an emphatic 82-67 victory over arch rivals South East Melbourne within the season opener at John Cain Arena.

In his first sport again for United, after his most up-to-date stint within the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, Dellavedova scored 12 of his 17 factors within the first quarter to arrange the excellent win. He additionally pulled down six rebounds.

The consequence ensured the Mike Kelly period at South East acquired off to a rocky begin, following basis coach Simon Mitchell’s departure within the low season.

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Dellavedova wasn’t the one recent face who starred for United, although, as former Perth Wildcat Luke Travers high scored with 20 factors on 7-15 discipline capturing whereas he additionally recorded seven rebounds, a steal and a block.

Ariel Hukporti’s first sport again for United after lacking all of final season with a ruptured Achilles tendon was additionally a hit as he helped himself to 14 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, whereas Rob Loe chimed in with 9 factors and 5 rebounds off the bench after crossing from New Zealand.

Ben Ayre was the Phoenix’s finest with 17 factors, together with 9 consecutive South East factors within the third quarter, whereas Will Cummings added 14 factors earlier than being fouled out.

South East shot a woeful 29 per cent from the sector (22-74) and solely managed two three-pointers by three-quarter time.

Conversely, Melbourne drained a formidable 11-30 from deep (36 per cent) and have been far superior from the free-throw line with a 15-17 clip (88) in comparison with South East’s paltry 18-28 (64).

UNITED QUELL HOT PHOENIX START

South East made a blistering begin by occurring a 10-1 run to steer by six factors early, aided by the truth that United missed their first six field-goal makes an attempt.

New recruit Cummings was central to every thing early for the Phoenix, scoring 4 factors and establishing fellow newcomer Tyler Cook for a spectacular alley-oop. By the halfway level of the primary quarter, their lead stretched to eight (16-8).

Melbourne responded ferociously with an 11-2 run, together with two threes from Dellavedova, which gave them again the lead with 2:40 remaining. The lead proceeded to alter 4 instances, as either side went bucket-for-bucket, earlier than United eased out to a 30-24 benefit early within the second quarter.

SOUTH EAST FALL AWAY

It took the Phoenix virtually 4 minutes to attain their first factors of the second interval, and the extra organised United made them pay for his or her sluggishness by leaping out to a 10-point lead (38-28) 3:35 earlier than half-time on the again of an 8-0 run.

South East headed to the principle break down 45-33 after capturing an appalling 26 per cent from the sector within the first half (11-41), in comparison with United’s 38 per cent (16-42), which included 40 per cent from three (6-15). The Phoenix may solely handle considered one of 9 buckets from deep (11 per cent).

But South East have been additionally let down badly by turnovers within the first half (6-1), and Melbourne made them pay the worth by dominating factors from turnover (12-2) at half-time.

UNITED RUN AWAY WITH IT

Things didn’t get significantly better for the Phoenix as they slipped right into a 55-38 gap halfway by way of the third stanza, and from there, there was no coming again for them because the margin remained in double-figures for the rest of the second half.