NBL21: Melbourne United defeat Adelaide 36ers to win ninth straight game

Melbourne United turned on the afterburners to vanquish Adelaide in a stunning finish that tied the club’s franchise record winning streak.

United key men Jock Landale and Chris Goulding celebrate victory over Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne United has equalled its single-season record streak with victory over Adelaide 36ers making it nine wins on the bounce.

Top-of-the-table United defeated the Sixers for the 10th time in their past 11 meetings on the back of a Mitch McCarron masterclass and a big man clinic from brilliant Boomer Jock Landale and bench scoring machine Jo Lual-Acuil.

Josh Giddey and Mitch McCarron fought out an entertaining point guard duel. Picture: Getty Images

The win didn’t come without its jitters.

The Sixers slugged it out for three quarters and, with eight minutes to go in the game, scores were tied at 69.

But United found another gear, pouring in 14 unanswered points in a five-minute run that killed the game off.

United coach Dean Vickerman was pleased his charges were able to grind out a “really tough contest”.

“(Adelaide coach) Conner’s (Henry) done a really good job with that team, really growing their defence,” Vickerman said.

“I thought they pushed us out of our stuff at different times, they were really physical, their hand pressure was really good.

“We talked about it at halftime, this is a really good basketball game and we’re going to have to play well to win it.

“Tough game and enjoyable game to coach in.”

Jock Landale was a monster for United. Picture: Getty Images

A sixth straight double-double for Landale (19 points, 10 rebounds) showed why he is one of the toughest covers in the league. In the second quarter the 211cm giant scored in the post, drained a deep three, threw down a thunderous jam off a Scotty Hopson fumble and then took returning Sixer Isaac Humphries off the dribble, draining two free throws.

Vickerman praised United’s tall timber for their relentless work.

“I thought all our bigs were really good tonight, Jock, Joe, Mase (Peatling), (David) Barlow all had effective games, really pleased with how they went about it tonight,” he said.

Humphries said before the game he’d almost forgotten his game-day routine and it was “weird” to be back on the John Cain Arena court that he suffered the injury on more than two months ago.

And, when he checked in for the first time in more than two months, he was given no quarter by United’s walking bucket Lual-Acuil, who swatted him at one end and then scored a pair of buckets on him at the other.

Jo Lual-Acuil gave returning Sixer Isaac Humphries the business. Picture: Getty Images

Humphries scored two points and had five rebounds in 15 minutes, but will be better for the run.

Henry believed a fully fit Humphries would have helped his side cope with United’s physical pressure.

“Their physicality wears us down,” he said.

“We have to have Isaac back, we have to have him playing more minutes and stronger.

“We had a good laugh, he and I, in the game. His lungs were about to burst and couldn’t get his legs underneath him.

“Fact of the matter is, they’re too big and strong for us right now.”

Big Jo (13 points, 10 rebounds) had his own personal block party, sending away four Sixers’ attempts in the first-half alone on his way to becoming just the second man in United history to have a double-double with at least five rejections, joining championship-winning centre Josh Boone.

McCarron has become United’s best decision-maker with ball in hand, vindicating coach Dean Vickerman’s decision to give him the point guard keys. He was superb throughout, scoring a game-high 21 points to go with five assists and five steals.

Classy Sixers import Brandon Paul tried his best to lead his side home. Picture: Getty Images

The Sixers had their chances, thanks largely to import Brandon Paul, who led the way with 20 points, while teen wunderkind Josh Giddey had 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

It was a tough night for milestone man Daniel Johnson in his 300th game for the Sixers, who had 16 points and nine rebounds, but made just five of his 19 shots.

Henry lamented missed opportunities.

“It’s like we have a new squad, so trying to figure out rotations and keep guys fluid within the game was a little bit of a challenge but, in general, I thought we played hard enough to win the basketball game,” Henry said.

“The reality is is that we couldn’t finish the basketball.

“We had I don’t know how many shots at the rim, couldn’t finish

“The opportunities were there, we weren’t able to capitalise on creating the advantage and knocking it down and then you’re playing from behind on the defensive end.”

The watch on Chris Goulding’s 800-trey count is down to two, the United talisman draining a pair of threes to make it 798.

Both teams next face New Zealand Breakers, the Sixers closing Round 15 on Monday night, before United opens Round 16, 48 hours later.

Mason Peatling has been a revelation for United. Picture: Getty Images

MASE’S EARLY SALVO

He’s not Jack White, but he doesn’t have to be. Development player Peatling has been handed a heavy load after White went down with an Achilles rupture and he continues to grow with every game. He’s become somewhat of a first-quarter energiser for United, hitting the ground running with seven first-quarter points, finishing with 11 for the game.

Daniel Johnson had 16 points in his milestone game, but it was a rare inefficient night. Picture: Getty Images

DJ’S TRIPLE TON

One of the best scoring big men in the NBL, Johnson has been a stalwart for the Sixers for years. He’s led Adelaide in scoring five times, and is on target to make it six, which would leave him one behind legendary import Mark Davis, who has seven. He’s also led the club in rebounding seven times. Third all-time on the Sixers’ games-played list, DJ’s talents aren’t reliant on athleticism — he uses his height, big rig, smarts and soft touch to get his buckets.

It means he should still have plenty of mileage left in the tank and, at 33, could Davis’ 481 games be in his sights?

Scotty Hopson did not make a field goal in United’s win. Picture: Getty Images

HOPS NOT ON

Scoring at least 14 points in three of four games since his return of injury, import Scotty Hopson was beginning to show some signs he was working his way back to his best. Not in this one. The 31-year-old couldn’t buy a bucket missing all six of his shots for just one point from the charity stripe.

WELCOME BACK

They say they’re not giving up, but it will take a minor miracle for the 36ers to make the playoffs. With Humphries and import Tony Crocker back in the line-up and Paul starting to really show his bag of tricks, that miracle isn’t hopeless. It’s more likely, though, that the Sixers will have a big say in shaping the playoffs — no team will want to run into them on the home stretch.