Melbourne United coach’s ‘great belief’ they could leave the Apple Isle with crucial win

A desperate Thursday night effort from Melbourne United on the road against the JackJumpers forced game five in a classic NBL grand final series that will reach its climax on Sunday.

Dean Vickerman is thrilled with the efforts of his Melbourne United team to force a home court decider. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Despite heading into a must-win contest in enemy territory, Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman says his side had “great belief” they would leave Tasmania with a win on Thursday night.

After going down in the dying stages of game three last Sunday, Melbourne pulled off a remarkable 88-86 win that again came down to a Jack McVeigh three at the death once again.

While it was heartbreak for United four days earlier, McVeigh was unable to pull off a half-court three a second time with Melbourne’s big moment wins down the stretch ultimately proving the difference.

Vickerman was full of praise for his side in the aftermath of Thursday’s win and said the will and desperation they showed to send the series to a deciding game five was “amazing”.

“It’s been an incredible grand final series so far and I think it deserves to go five (games),” Vickerman said.

“We are incredibly privileged to go back to Melbourne and have one more shot at this thing.

“I just thought there were some amazing desperation plays tonight. Our ability to dive on the floor on loose balls and come up with extra possessions (was) amazing.”

United forced game five on Thursday night. Picture: Getty Images

While it was Matthew Dellavedova’s successful drive that gave United the matchwinning lead, Vickerman also singled out Ian Clark who finished with 18 points and four rebounds in the post-match.

“He (Clark) looked like he was a problem offensively all night when he was touching the basketball,” Vickerman said.

“I was pretty close to going to him down the stretch but ‘Delly’ really wanted that last one and made a hell of a play and got to the rim.”

After coming unstuck in game three to Tasmania’s small-ball set-up, Vickerman said he felt they were able to handle it better on Thursday when Roth brought in Majok Deng for Will Magnay late in the fourth quarter.

“Absolutely (we were better prepared),” he said.

“We spent a lot of time on it and I thought there was absolute clarity on how we were going to defend it, there were still some that came down hill pretty quick, but so much better.”

Game five of the NBL Championship series is on Sunday at 4pm from John Cain Arena.

Originally published as Melbourne United coach’s ‘great belief’ they could leave the Apple Isle with crucial win