Sport
11 March, 2024
Delly leading the charge
Matthew Dellavedova has served Australian basketball fans a reminder of his brilliance in the National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs, putting together two excellent performances for Melbourne United as they push for a spot in the grand final...
Matthew Dellavedova has served Australian basketball fans a reminder of his brilliance in the National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs, putting together two excellent performances for Melbourne United as they push for a spot in the grand final.
United have been the form team of the competition this year, finishing on top of the ladder by three games, but they will be required to go the distance tomorrow night against the fourth-placed Illawarra Hawks, who tied the three-game series at one game apiece on Sunday.
Thursday night’s first game was Dellavedova at his very best.
He scored 30 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, as well as playing strong defense with four steals in one of the best individual games of the season to help deliver United a 115-106 victory in overtime in front of his adoring fans at John Cain Arena.
Three of Dellavedova’s assists were in the crucial overtime period, while he also brought down two key rebounds.
It was also the first time any player had recorded 30 points and 10 assists in the NBL’s playoff history over a 40-minute game.
Speaking to melbourneutd.com.au following their win, head coach Dean Vickerman praised Dellavedova for his performance.
“When I look back at it, you have to say Dell was crazy. That’s an absolutely amazing game, certainly the best game he’s ever played for this club,” he said.
United were desperately close to sweeping the Hawks in Sunday’s second game, but a big offensive rebound by Illawarra’s Will Hickey, followed by a put-back lay-in at the buzzer ensured it would be a second straight overtime game at the WIN Entertainment Centre, before the Hawks eventually pulled away to take a 113-108 victory.
Dellavedova again performed well, leading the team in scoring with 20 points, while also dishing out some crucial assists which almost got United home in regulation, eventually finishing with eight.
Dellavedova has enjoyed another good season on the floor with United.
Although a concussion against the Brisbane Bullets in round three threatened to derail a chunk of his season, missing almost a month, Delly has again established himself as one of the best point guards in the competition, leading the league in assists at 6.2 per game, while also adding 12.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Dellavedova will now look to add more silverware to his burgeoning trophy cabinet as he looks to help Melbourne United into the NBL finals, with the deciding third game against the Hawks to be played at John Cain Arena tomorrow night.