Melbourne United need over-time to beat dogged New Zealand Breakers and seal finals place

Melbourne United squander what should have been a match-winning final-quarter lead before finally edging New Zealand Breakers in over-time to secure their NBL finals place.

Dave Barlow celebrates a three-pointer against New Zealand.

The NBL’s wildest fantasy involves basketball royalty Andrew Bogut and Andrew Gaze combining to take on Melbourne United in an epic Grand Final series.

On Sunday that perfect marketing outcome officially began to take shape.

Just hours after Bogut and Gaze locked away Sydney’s first playoff berth since 2013, United took care of business too.

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It wasn’t even close to pretty, Melbourne requiring over-time after a sluggish start then squandering what should have been a match-winning final-quarter lead.

But Mitch McCarron’s career-high 25 points and Casper Ware’s over-time hustle finally overcame the New Zealand Breakers for the second time in three days.

As a result of the 111-102 win, ladder leaders Melbourne are at least in position to ensure Melbourne Arena home status in those critical finals series.

David Barlow celebrates a basket.

Casper Ware floats to the basket.

Dean Vickerman’s decision to play captain Chris Goulding off the bench had raised eyebrows given his captain is such a talismanic presence.

McCarron’s electric display - with eight rebounds and six assists as well as five triples - will do plenty to quieten the noise given his continued brilliant form.

DJ Kennedy’s 23 points off 7-for-14 shooting included key late baskets, while Ware added 16 points but off wayward 5-for-20 shooting.

Goulding first stepped onto the course half-way through the first quarter and while he tried to rouse Melbourne late he added only eight points in 22 minutes of court time.

Melbourne had seemed to be coasting with an 84-72 lead with just over eight minutes remaining yet the Breakers wouldn’t quit.

Even after Ware drained a pair of free throws to hand Melbourne a three-point lead and the Breakers one final possession, Corey Webster stepped up to again tie scores.

Mitch McCarron tries to pass Corey Webster.

Ware’s long three-pointer to win the match instead bounced off the rim and the game was in over-time.

Vickerman backed in Ware to take control in over-time, thrilled his team had officially sealed a finals berth.

“We tick that goal off. This club hasn’t been to the playoffs two years in a row so that’s pleasing,” he said.

“We are trying to build sustained success and now we have an opportunity to get home court advantage. That is the next goal for this group.

“We pushed Mitch (McCarron) over the minutes we wanted him to play but he was so good and so aggressive getting to the rim. We showed him some edits from Friday where he could have been more aggressive.

“Tonight they sagged off him a couple of times and he dropped the three ball too.

“Casper hadn’t had his greatest night but he made some good decisions down the stretch.”

But balance was restored in those final five minutes, and the NBL’s marketers will be licking their lips with what awaits next month.

Chris Goulding is guarded by Jarrad Weekes.

Perth and Adelaide will have plenty to say about that ultimate finals match-up, yet if you want to see the biggest names throwing down when it really matters everything is shaping up nicely.

Melbourne kick off a deciding fortnight on Friday night with an away clash against Sydney, with four games remaining as they try to cling to that critical top-two spot.

That finish to the home-and-away season includes an away clash against Adelaide and home contests against Cairns and the Wildcats, so that top spot is far from set in stone.

Melbourne had won the last three games in dominant style - Illawarra (24 points), Adelaide (23 points) and New Zealand (20).

In a star-studded side defending the NBL title, McCarron has been the revelation with his sweet shot and bustling energy.

His excellent offensive night included a pair of momentum-draining three-pointers late in the third term just as the Breakers were trying to launch a desperate rally.

Goulding made clear on Friday night in an ideal world he would start, but for Vickerman he has his squad exactly where he needs it.

Do you put time into the electric Ware, or stop Dave Barlow’s long-range shot, or limit Ware’s silky interior passes to centre Boone?

Vickerman has four more games to hone his attack and iron out the kinks that nearly allowed the Breakers to steal Sunday night’s contest.

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