Bullets fight hard in loss to United

The Brisbane Bullets put up a fight, but eventually fell to league leaders Melbourne United, 95-83.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the battle that ensued, with Brisbane in the game until the final two minutes. Missing Nathan Sobey to a knee injury and Anthony Drmic who remained in Brisbane following the birth of his child, the Bullets put in a spirited performance against the NBL22 front-runners.

The Bullets fought hard and showed some really positive signs, including the career-best performance of French Next Star Tom Digbeu (11 points, two rebounds and an assist). 

Robert Franks paced the Bullets with 20 points, while Jason Cadee had another strong captain’s performance with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Ultimately though, United seized their opportunity late and were able to hold of the visitors. Their remarkable depth was on display with six Melbourne players scoring in double-figures.

After a slow start for both teams, Jo Lual-Acuil finally created the first opportunities for United. Triples from Cadee and Tanner Krebs helped keep the Bullets in touch, but eight turnovers for the quarter was handing United too much possession. 

The Bullets were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and some entertaining plays from Next Star Tom Digbeu on the offensive end and a few knock down three’s from Franks meant the visitors went into the first break with the scores level.

Out of the quarter time break, both sides were struggling to capitalise on their offensive possesions. Suddenly, Chris Goulding knocked down a triple and Deng Deng replied, the duo combining to score more points in 30 seconds than had been scored in six minutes of basketball.

After Robert Franks and Shea Ili traded threes, Tom Digbeu went coast to coast with a steal, a bucket, a foul shot and the Bullets were in front once more - taking a 37-36 half-time lead. 

Melbourne put the screws on defensively in the third quarter and threatened to crack the game open again, surging out to a five-point advantage before a Franks triple kept them honest. 

United pushed it back to a 62-55 lead heading into the final term. It looked like the Bullets' resistance was over when they opened up an 11-point lead but a Deng dunk and Cadee triple slashed the margin to just six. 

Jack White hit a triple that looked to break the game open but  Brisbane kept fighting, with Digbeu rising up with a poster dunk, keeping his side in the hunt. 

The resistance finally ended when Matthew Dellavedova hit a contested three and White completed a three-point play at the foul line, pushing United out to a 12-point advantage that Brisbane was unable to reel in.

Following the game, Hostplus Head Coach James Duncan highlighted the positives, but also rued another game that got away.

“The boys competed and gave the right effort. We were doing a lot of good things,” Duncan said.

“Executing the game plan through the course of the game and especially at the end is something we weren’t able to do.”

When asked about the impact of Jason Cadee, particularly playing without Nathan Sobey he said, “He’s a competitior and his IQ is off the charts. He’s been really putting in the work.”

“I can’t fault Jase’s effort. And his voice in the locker room is so big.”

In preparation for Monday night’s game against New Zealand, James Duncan had a clear focus.

“Take care of the ball, better transition D and rebound the ball. If we do that it will give us a great opportunity to walk out with a W.”

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 14

MELBOURNE UNITED 95 (Lual-Acuil 20, Agada 15, Hukporti 14)

BRISBANE BULLETS 83 (Franks 20, Cadee 17, Digbeu 11) 

BOX SCORE

NEXT UP

The Bullets head to Tasmania to take on New Zealand Breakers on Monday night, before returning home to Nissan Arena against the Perth Wildcats on Saturday 12 March. The Indigenous Round game, presented by Rork Projects will tip-off at 4:30pm. Purchase your tickets HERE.