Sport
7 March, 2025
Delly advances in NBL
Matthew Dellavedova’s Melbourne United have qualified for the NBL Grand Final after outlasting the Perth Wildcats in an instant classic elimination game 113-112.
The stakes could not be higher on Tuesday at John Cain Arena, and both teams played up to the occasion.
Dellavedova made an instant impact, scoring the first points of the game on a turnaround jumper, his go-to move all series.
Despite that, it was the Wildcats who assumed control early, leading by 11 at the first break.
Dellavedova was key in United’s fightback after quarter time, providing a dependable scoring touch while producing timely passes to his teammates, particularly Chris Goulding and former NBA championship rival turned teammate Ian Clark who were both on fire from three.
United reduced the margin to four by half-time before leading by three heading into the final quarter.
Both teams gave it their all with their season on the line, producing some wonderful moments of basketball in the final 10 minutes which Dellavedova was largely a part of.
The Maryborough product assisted four of United’s first six buckets in the final period, giving his team a five-point edge with less than six minutes on the clock.
The Wildcats were determined not to let this opportunity slip away, catching fire at the right time to lead by three with less than four minutes to play.
After being subbed back into the game, Dellavedova helped United get the upper hand once again, assisting Goulding’s ninth three before scoring on a floater and another patented turnaround jumper for United to restore their three-point lead with two minutes to go.
That margin remained until six-time NBL champion Jesse Wagstaff hit a clutch three for the Wildcats, tying the game with 2.9 seconds to play after Dellavedova missed a fade away to potentially ice the game.
With United given one last chance to win the series in regulation, the inbound went to Dellavedova who found Goulding under the basket who drew a shooting foul with 0.8 seconds left.
Goulding made the first free throw, guiding United to the NBL Grand Final by one point.
Dellavedova saved his best quarter for last, finishing with 10 points, four rebounds, and 11 assists, once again the game leader in that category.
United will have the chance to redeem their grand final loss last season in a five-game series against the minor premiers Illawarra Hawks, who dominated South East Melbourne Phoenix by 30 points in game three to make the season finale.
The series begins on Saturday, March 8 from the WIN Entertainment Centre.