Sport
25 February, 2025
Matthew Dellavedova’s Melbourne United begin their NBL finals campaign on Thursday
Maryborough’s Matthew Dellavedova and his Melbourne United teammates will start their NBL finals run on Thursday, looking to avenge their 2023/24 NBL Grand Final loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.
After finishing second behind the Illawarra Hawks with a 19-10 record, Melbourne United have automatically qualified for the semi-finals, leaving them only one postseason series win away from punching their ticket to the grand final.
Standing in Melbourne United’s way from consecutive finals appearances is a three-game series against the Perth Wildcats, who defeated South East Melbourne Phoenix 122-105 in the seeding qualifier to book their place in the semi-final.
After coming agonisingly close to the title last season, Dellavedova is chasing his first NBL championship to add a slam dunk to an already stacked resume.
The Maryborough product has continued to be a key contributor for Melbourne United this season, averaging 10.8 points a game with a 44 percent field goal percentage, and was second for the most assists in the competition, averaging 7.1 a game.
Melbourne United certainly had the Perth Wildcats number during the regular season, boasting a 3-0 record against their semi-final opponents.
Dellavedova excelled during the last meeting between the two sides just over a month ago, scoring 17 points with two threes, dishing out seven assists, and grabbing three rebounds.
The semi-final series begins this Thursday, February 27 at 7.30 pm from John Cain Arena.