Melbourne United Advances to NBL Championship Series After Thrilling Game 3 Win
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Melbourne United has advanced to the NBL Championship Series after a thrilling 113-112 win over the Perth Wildcats in Game 3 of their playoff series. The game was marked by a remarkable shootout between the two teams, with Kristian Doolittle and Bryce Cotton starring for the visitors, and Ian Clark and Chris Goulding leading the way for the hosts. The Wildcats had three chances to tie the game up in the final seconds of regulation, but it was Melbourne United who emerged victorious, thanks in part to a controversial foul call on Ben Henshall with 0.8 seconds left on the clock.
Chris Goulding was fouled by Henshall and made the first free throw, before deliberately missing the second to force the Wildcats into a full-court heave. The strategy paid off, as Dylan Windler's shot went wide, securing the win for Melbourne United. The game was also marked by a missed goaltending call earlier in the fourth quarter, which could have changed the outcome of the game. Despite the controversy, Melbourne United's win was a testament to their clutch performance under pressure, and they will now face either the Illawarra Hawks or the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Championship Series.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Wildcats racing to a 37-26 quarter-time lead, thanks in part to 16 first-quarter points from Cotton. However, Melbourne United fought back, with Clark and Goulding leading the charge. The two teams combined for 42/72 shooting from the field and 18/35 from downtown in the first half, setting the tone for a thrilling finish. The Wildcats never gave up, taking it to the very last second, but in the end, it was Melbourne United who emerged victorious.
The win was a significant one for Melbourne United, who were denied a championship last season due to late-game execution. This season, they have focused on improving their performance in clutch situations, and it paid off in Game 3. The team will now look to build on their momentum and bring home their first title since 2021. The NBL Championship Series is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the season, with Melbourne United facing off against either the Illawarra Hawks or the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Here are the match scores:
- Game 1: Melbourne United 105, Perth Wildcats 102
- Game 2: Perth Wildcats 115, Melbourne United 108
- Game 3: Melbourne United 113, Perth Wildcats 112
- Chris Goulding: 30 points, 9/12 three-point shooting
- Ian Clark: 38 points, 14/19 shooting from the field, 6/9 from deep
- Kristian Doolittle: 37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
- Bryce Cotton: 33 points, 6 assists
- Game 1: Melbourne United vs. Illawarra Hawks/South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Game 2: Melbourne United vs. Illawarra Hawks/South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Game 3: Melbourne United vs. Illawarra Hawks/South East Melbourne Phoenix
- Melbourne United: 1st
- Illawarra Hawks: 2nd
- South East Melbourne Phoenix: 3rd
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