Melbourne United in o NBL grand final after best semi-final series in recent times
Melbourne United surged into the NBL grand final series after one of the best semi finals ever that stirred memories of another epic effort.
There was only one other playoff series in his 35 years in professional basketball that Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman could compare to his team’s stunning 2-1 take-down of the Perth Wildcats and it was foremost in his thoughts.
Vickerman showed his players a finals highlight reel from 2011, when he was assistant coach at the New Zealand Breakers, which included some clutch plays from a former player who recently died.
On Tuesday night, the series was up for grabs until the last second of a thrilling game three decider. United captain Chris Goulding earnt a foul from a big-time set play before nailing a free throw to give Melbourne United a 113-112 win that punched their ticket back to the NBL Championship Series.
As far as memorable semi-final series go, Vickerman said it rated right behind that one nearly 15 years ago.
“I lost a mate in Kevin Braswell recently,” Vickerman said.
“I showed the boys that series where Kevin made massive plays to win a game two and Mika (Vukona) had pretty much a broken leg and played.
“That’s the other one for me that I’ll always remember.”
Despite being on the losing side, Wildcats coach John Rillie praised the character of his players for their part in what he declared a “great series”.
This United-Wildcats series had it all.
Goulding was unstoppable in game one, dropping 41 points in a starring role.
In the second game, United built a massive 20-point lead before Wildcats import Dylan Windler produced a heroic second half show to steal victory for his side.
The deciding game of the series had the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the second half.
United fought their way back from 14 points down to win in a game where veteran Ian Clark had a career-high 38 points, Goulding hit nine three pointers in a 30-point game and point guard Matthew Dellavedova had a double-double 10 points and 12 assists.
It was cruel on Wildcats star Kristian Doolittle to be on the losing side after he produced a 37-point, 10-rebound, five-assist show, while five-time MVP Bryce Cotton put in a cool 33 points to go with six assists and five rebounds.
“That’s just an elite game of basketball,” Vickerman said.
“To say that shots were fired at both ends, playing at a super-high level.
“I’m not sure when we’ve made 20 threes (as a team).
“There’s so many talking points about this series.”
Clark’s game-three performance was one for the ages.
When United was staring down that 14-point deficit, he picked his team up and carried them to victory.
“In a bit of a hole to start with and then ‘IC’ [Clark] just kept us hanging around,” Vickerman said.
“As much as he’s scored 38 tonight, he’s been our next guy to go and guard Bryce.
“For him to log 30 minutes, put 40 (38) up at that end and then go and guard Bryce at the other end, that’s just the all round game that he gave us tonight.”
Vickerman lauded United’s late-game execution.
It was an area of United’s game that let them down at times in last year’s championship series defeat to Tasmania JackJumpers.
United executed to perfection a play with scores level and just 2.8 seconds left on the clock to find Goulding inside the paint for what turned out to be a series clinching trip to the free-throw line.
“We didn’t win them moments over there in Perth (in the game two loss),” Vickerman said.
“CG’s (Goulding) block at the rim with (Perth’s) ‘Henny’ (Ben Henshall).
“Obviously last play, ‘Delly’ (Dellavedova) has been so elite just making the right decisions.
“We’ll look back at that when we get a chance as a team and just look at the moments we actually won.”
United has a chance to atone for their championship series heartbreak against the JackJumpers 12 months ago.
They will be aiming for their first title since 2021.
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