Preview: Round 14 vs United | John Cain Arena

When: 7pm (AEST), Saturday 5 March, 2022
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Broadcast: ESPN; Kayo 

The Bullets head down to Melbourne looking to build on the positive momentum from their win against the JackJumpers last weekend. Brisbane have historically fared well against United in Melbourne, beating the home side three times in their last five games at John Cain Arena. 

Brisbane will be without star guard Nathan Sobey, sidelined for four weeks due to injury. They will also be missing Anthony Drmic, remaining in Brisbane with his family, following the birth of his first child.

Who won the last time?

Melbourne 84 (Dellavedova 16, White 14, Goulding 12) d Brisbane 82 (Patterson 21, Sobey 18, Franks 10, Liu 10) – Round 8, Nissan Arena, Brisbane

Brisbane were outstanding in the first half, opening an 11-point lead as Nathan Sobey and Lamar Patterson had their way. But Chris Goulding and Jack White changed the game midway through the second, giving Melbourne  a one-point edge into intermission. The second half was a wrestling match and United pulled 10 ahead. Patterson-led late revivalfor the Bullets, but a Matthew Dellavedova triple got the visitors in front.

What happened last start?

Brisbane got away from the grind against the JackJumpers and got the rewards. Their high-intensity offence creating a fast-paced game that Robert Franks, Patterson and Sobey excelled in. Robert Franks (23pts, 11 reb) and Lamar Patterson (16pts, 10ast) both had double doubles, while Sobey was particularly influential in his 21 minutes, scoring 14 points and going +15.

Melbourne had to work for it in the Far North last round, the Taipans erasing a 13-point deficit in the third term to set up a grandstand finish. However, United held their hosts to just 19 points in the final 13 minutes and rode even contributions to ease away. Goulding and Caleb Agada set up the win with a 14-point burst in the second half..

Who’s in form?

Robert Franks – He’s averaged 18.5 points the past six games, nailing three triples per night at 40 per cent, but Franks officially announced he was back against Tasmania by pulling in 11 boards, his first double-figure night since mid-January.

Shea Ili - Ili has been outstanding at both ends this season, particularly the past four games, where he’s delivered 11.3 points at 62 per cent from long range, to go with 4.8 assists and 2 steals alongside just 1.8 turnovers.

STATS LEADERS

BULLETS
Points: Lamar Patterson 18.1ppg (#5 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Robert Franks, 8.25rpg (#7 in the NBL)
Assists: Jason Cadee, 4.7apg (#6 in the NBL)
Blocks: Tyrell Harrison, 1.3bpg (#7 in the NBL)

UNITED
Points:, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr 17.1ppg (#6 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, 9.4rpg (#3 in the NBL)
Assists: Matthew Dellavedova, 5.75apg (#3 in the NBL)
Blocks: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, 2.7bpg (#1 in the NBL)

ON THE RECORD

Last week against Tasmania the Bullets produced close to their best four-quarter display of the season, shooting 50 per cent while holding the JackJumpers to just 42 per cent at the other end.

“We were so close the last two or three weeks with every game, we just didn’t get that reward,” Nathan Sobey said after defeating Tassie.

“So for the group to be able to get a reward now and see the way we played at both ends of the floor puts us in a better stead when those situations happen again.”

The Bullets dropped 22 dimes that night, Patterson with 10, in an unselfish display and rarely let Tasmania’s defence get set.

“This is the message we've been talking about throughout the course of the season, they guys came in really focused on doing that,” Hostplus Head Coach James Duncan said following the win.

“Just being able to have someone like (Patterson) make passes and find guys … having someone else who can do that helps our team, they can’t just focus in on Sobes and Jase, at the same time you guys see he can put the ball in the basket as well.

“Tonight there was a happy balance, and you could see throughout the course of the team, how we played, it was clean good basketball, it was enjoyable basketball.

“Even when we missed some shots everyone was up on the bench and you could feel it within the crowd, it was a good shot, do it again, and we were able to stick to that game plan.”

NEXT HOME GAME

Next up the Bullets take on Perth Wildcats during Indigenous Round, brought to you by Rork Projects. Tip-Off is at 4:30pm on Saturday March 12. Get your tickets HERE.