Bullets near miss against United

It was a valiant effort from the Brisbane Bullets who fell to Melbourne United 84-82 in a tight game at Nissan Arena.

Lamar Patterson had a dominant game for the Bullets with 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Nathan Sobey added 18 points.

The Bullets were without starting centre Tyrell Harrison due to injury, but Jack Salt (seven points, six rebounds) and Chuanxing Liu (10 points, five boards) fought hard in his absence.

The Bullets got out to a great start, bringing lots of energy and crashing the boards, particularly at the offensive end. Brisbane had 10 of the first 11 rebounds of the game, including six of the 10 coming offensively which led to seven second chance points and a 20-11 lead.

The Bullets led by as much as 11 points early in the second quarter after five quick points to Nathan Sobey and they were still up five by three quarter-time on their home floor at Nissan Arena on Wednesday.

However, league-leaders, Melbourne made a statement in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter going on a 20-5 run to hold a 10-point advantage.

Sparked by Lamar Patterson, the Bullets still gave themselves a shot late but both Sobey and Anthony Drmic missed chances for the Bullets to send the game into overtime.

For Melbourne United, Matthew Dellavedova led with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, while Jack White added 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Brisbane remain at home to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday 29 December at 7pm. Get your tickets today. 

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 8

BRISBANE BULLETS 82 (Patterson 21, Sobey 18, Liu 10, Franks 10)

MELBOURNE UNITED 84 (Dellavedova 16, White 14, Goulding 12) 

BOX SCORE