NBL Grand Final series, Game 4: Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United
Melbourne United have broken Tasmania JackJumpers hearts after a heart-stopping win in Game 4 of the NBL Grand Final championship series to force a decider.
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Melbourne United have forced a deciding Game 5 in the NBL Grand Final series after a nailbiting 88-86 win against the JackJumpers in enemy territory.
It was almost a case of history repeating itself but not even superstar Jack McVeigh could pull off a second straight three-point buzzer beater with Melbourne United forcing the NBL24 Championship series to a decider on Sunday.
In another thrilling contest between the competition’s two best outfits, it was United that walked away 88-86 winners at MyState Bank Arena on Thursday night.
In a series full of big moments, it was Melbourne who came up big down the stretch with a Shea Ili steal and bucket followed by a Matthew Dellavedova drive for a two giving the visitors the lead with just 7.2 seconds on the clock.
And while it was Tasmania who won game three on an inbound pass, they weren’t able to do the same on home floor thanks to a Jo Lual-Acuil steal in the paint denying Majok Deng the chance to win it for Tasmania.
A foul from Tasmania then took Ian Clark to the line but after the American missed the second of two, the door remained open for McVeigh to once again be the hero.
But even he, who dominated with 28 points and seven rebounds, could drain another half-court three with Melbourne drawing the series at 2-2 heading into Sunday’s game five at John Cain Arena.
McVeigh played like a man possessed and was clearly keeping Tasmania in the game during the first-half with star import Milton Doyle going scoreless across the first two quarters.
McVeigh started game four the same way he finished game three, dropping the first bucket of the contest, with Tasmania dominating the early stages despite Fabian Krslovic going 0/3 from deep after replacing injured centre Marcus Lee in the starting five.
Tasmania’s game three hero had nine points early with the home side taking a three-point lead into the first break thanks to a 7/23 quarter from United.
With star duo Dellavedova and Chris Goulding quiet by their lofty standards in the first-half, it was left to Luke Travers and Ian Clark to spark life into United who improved its work around the rim to take a 41-39 lead into the main break, despite McVeigh dropping 18 first-half points.
An unsuccessful coach’s challenge for Tasmania started a rolling chain of drama after the break that included back-to-back threes from Goulding before Lual-Acuil was benched following his fourth foul mid-way through the term.
In a seesawing final term, it was ultimately United that ended as victors in another classic between Tasmania and Melbourne.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FOURTH QUARTER
Four straight threes put Melbourne United just in front but the JackJumpers refused to lie down.
Chris Goulding (two), Luke Travers and Matthew Dellavedova drained long range bombs as United came out driven to force the series to a fifth and deciding game.
This is nuts.
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) March 28, 2024
But there are injury concerns with Ian Clark left the court and went straight up the tunnel, and reports Goulding was limping.
Both men returned as Melbourne United
Tassie upped their defensive efforts to get stops and keep in touch with the heavyweights, and led by as much as five in the dying minutes.
The JackJumpers led 86-85 with just 16.6 seconds on the clock as the review centre looked in-depth at an out of bounds call which could decide the championship.
A Dellavedova lay-up gave the visitors an 87-86 lead with seven seconds left.
THIRD QUARTER
A few interesting calls midway through the third has not won the NBL review centre any more fans in Tasmania.
But things could be turning the way of a fairytale ending.
First, the calls, which went against the JackJumpers.
A challenge was deemed unsuccessful as it was claimed Anthony Drmic created contact, then a clean touch on the ball by Jordon Crawford was called a foul - and given Tasmania coach Scott Roth had used his challenge, they had to grin and bear it.
But Melbourne United big Jo Lual-Acuil Jr may have given Tasmania an opening by picking up his fourth foul with just under 14 minutes left in the must-win game.
Jack McVeigh is leading all scorers with a big 20-plus point contribution, which will only fuel the call for NBA clubs to get in touch.
Melbourne United led 63-60 with a timeout taken with two minutes left in third, and 67-66 at the break.
SECOND QUARTER
Melbourne United are on top at halftime of Game 4 in the NBL Grand Final championship series, as the heavyweights hold a slim, two-point advantage at the long break.
The visitors silenced the Tasmanian crowd by outscoring the NBL’s feel-good side 24-19 in the second term to go into the break up 41-39.
Luke Travers is stuffing the stat sheet for United with 10 points, 6 rebounds, three assists and a block through the opening 20 minutes.
Ian Clark was in his bag 🤯
— NBL (@NBL) March 28, 2024
Catch the Finals action live on ESPN via Kayo 📺 pic.twitter.com/NtHQiNchxa
Ian Clark has added plenty of spark from the bench with 11 points (55 per cent from the field) and three rebounds as the visitors went on an 9-0 run to get back into the contest.
Jack McVeigh (18pts at 72 per cent) and Jordon Crawford (12pts, two-for-three from three) have done the bulk of the scoring for Tasmania.
The bank is always open for Jack McTrey 🤑
— NBL (@NBL) March 28, 2024
Catch the Finals action live on ESPN via Kayo 📺 pic.twitter.com/RAtyrkVY0d
FIRST QUARTER
Tasmania is in front as they shoot for a maiden NBL championship, going into the break up 20-17.
Melbourne United shot at just 25 per cent from the field in the first seven minutes, as the JackJumpers fairytale got off to a good start for the home fans.
The sold-out MyState Bank Arena showered Matthew Dellavedova with boos with his first few touches as Game 3 hero McVeigh put up six of the home side’s first 10 points.
Majok Deng received a warm welcome when he entered the fray seven minutes into the clash after his outstanding impact in Game 3.
The “forgotten man” was among the difference makers in Game 3 and he’ll undoubtedly be looking to make a similar impact.
PRE-GAME
This is how they line up:
Our Game 4 starters.
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) March 28, 2024
Watch on ESPN via Kayo. pic.twitter.com/A17OvxbPb6
A FAB lineup for our last home game. 🔒
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🜠(@JackJumpers) March 28, 2024
Stream live at home on ESPN via Kayo & Foxtel. 📺
Get along to the official live sites supported by the Tasmanian Government. 🥳
Grab a Willies at one of the registered Watch Partys on our website. ðŸº
Pre-game broadcast from 7:00pm 🀠pic.twitter.com/V6DyHM92aZ
Shockingly, Melbourne United have led for more than 70 per cent of the first three games in the championship series only to find themselves just one loss from finishing this promising season empty-handed.
“They [United] gave away Game 2 here.â€
— NBL (@NBL) March 28, 2024
Derek Rucker believes @melbunited “should feel very confident†heading into tonight’s clash with the @jackjumpers.
Watch the Coca-Cola Pre-Game show now, live on ESPN via Kayo 📺 pic.twitter.com/LX8kKGHI00
Melbourne United won the first game of the series in a 104-81 shellacking at John Cain Arena, but the JackJumpers have shown the fighting spirit which has made them a favourite in their third season.
They bounced back to win Game 2 82-77 in front of their home fans, then a Majok Deng masterclass in the final quarter of Game 3 - plus Mcveigh’s miracle shot - took the Jackies to an unforgettable 93-91 win in Melbourne.
Should Melbourne United win on Thursday, they go back to Victoria for a deciding Game 5 on Sunday.
Can feel the anticipation steadily growing.
— Michael Randall (@MickRandallHS) March 28, 2024
Just over an hour before tipoff.
Do the Jackies take it out in front of the Ant Army or can United bounce back in enemy territory and force a game five?
Intrigued to see the rotations and adjustments both teams make.
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