Buoyant Brisbane Bullets expecting Melbourne United to come hard in rematch after stunning defeat

A wary Brisbane Bullets outfit heads to Melbourne expecting United to be fired up to rebound hard after surrendering serious leads to them at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Jeremy Kendle led two momentum-swinging surges that overcame serious deficits for the Brisbane Bullets in the 97-94 win.

BULLETS bench spark Jeremy Kendle says Brisbane are braced for Melbourne to bounce back hard when the clubs clash for the second time in 53 hours in Melbourne tonight.

BULLSEYE: BULLETS PULL OFF STUNNING VICTORY

Kendle led two momentum-swinging surges that overcame serious deficits in the 97-94 win over United in the NBL thriller at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday.

The American — drafted into the Brisbane side as a temporary replacement for Stephen Holt — finished with 15 points and three rebounds in a little over 13 minutes of game time.

Significantly, when Kendle was on court, Brisbane outscored Melbourne by a stunning 24 points.

His up-tempo aggression in offence helped cut down a 12-point deficit in the second quarter and he played a major role in helping wipe-out Melbourne’s 17-point lead in the third quarter, earning high praise from both head coaches.

Kendle was a late season replacement for Brisbane in the 2016-17 season and was a fill-in at the Sydney Kings last year.

He was the MVP of the second-tier SEABL competition in 2016 and has been training with Brisbane for the past three months.

The livewire guard said United will be hellbent on revenge but Brisbane will not take a backward step.

Jeremy Kendle of the Bullets drives to the basket against Melbourne United at Brisbane Convention Centre.

“They are a championship team, well-coached, they play hard, they play well together and have a lot of experience so they are a great team,’’ Kendle said of Melbourne.

“We will have to play with confidence and play hard and play smart. We believe that we are a heck of a team as well and good things will happen if we put our best foot forward.

“But we definitely don’t want to dig a hole that deep (17 points) again.’’

Kendle was happy to repay the faith of Brisbane players and coaching staff with his eye-catching effort against United that ably supported the classy 33-point haul from fellow American Lamar Patterson.

“The guys put a lot of trust and belief in me which speaks volumes for the character of the team. I just wanted to go out there and be aggressive and play hard,’’ he said.

“I just want to bring energy. Being positive and confident can be contagious and I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.”

Brisbane are closing in on a full-time replacement for Holt and Kendle said whatever the basketball gods hold in store for him, it will not change his approach.

“I’m not thinking about whether this is one more game or the rest of the season or it opens up opportunities elsewhere. It’s what this team needs me to do now,’’ he said.

“The decision making of other people I cannot control. I can control my attitude, effort and energy and I trust good things will happen from that.’’

NBL — Round 8

BRISBANE BULLETS (6-6) V MELBOURNE UNITED (9-4)

Tonight 6.50pm (Qld time)

Melbourne Arena

TV: Fox Sports

Ladbrokes: Bullets $3.35, United $1.33

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