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Melbourne United vs Illawarra HawksWednesday March 19, 7:30pm |
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Melbourne United are all too familiar with this situation. Last season they lost out on what would’ve been a seventh NBL Championship after a Jack McVeigh buzzer from deep sunk their aspirations in an all in Game Five. However since then they have adjusted better to their surroundings and now hold the upper hand against Jason Tatum’s ‘punching far above their weight’ Illawarra Hawks. Because last season the underdogs were in fact eliminated 2-1 in the semi finals by Dean Vickermen’s Men. Not only is this their last possible breath to extend the series, but they can also help put their past woes to bed in the process. Wednesday night is about to be MASSIVE!
At the WIN Entertainment Centre in Game Three it was Melbourne who claimed a decisive 2-1 series lead after powerfully overcoming the hosts 83-77. In particular Q4 was tremendously important for them as they won that period 23-10. Jack White had a sensational game with 20PTS, 5REB, 2STL and 1BLK on an incredible 88.9% shooting from the floor. That while Matthew Dellavedova showed why he’s ageing like fine wine with a sensational double-double of 16PTS & 11AST, in addition to 2REB and 1STL. Ian Clark also did his thing with 16PTS, 7REB, 3AST and 1STL, whilst Chris Goulding chipped in 14PTS of his own.
As for the losers, Will Hickey had 12PTS off the bench and Darius Days locked down 11PTS. Meanwhile both Trey Kell III had 10PTS and the same with Wani Swaka Lo Buluk. In particular Kell III and Tyler Harvey’s 7PTS were just dreadful. They shot just 4/9 and 3/11 from the floor respectively. Just to provide some context in his last performance Kell III had 18PTS and Harvey 24PTS. Kell III has won two different MVP awards in his career, whilst Harvey has made five First Teams throughout his pro career. The Hawks won Game Two arguably off the back of their five-star performances and also arguably lost the one after due to their one-star showings. They will either WIN or LOSE the game for Illawarra here, make no two guesses about it.
Whilst for Melbourne United the key to their success may be in the form of ex-NBA Champion and a Man who repped the league for ten seasons, as well as one of the chief NBL ambassadors Matthew Dellavedova. Twice in his NBA playoffs career he put up 7.7 and 7.2PPG and prior to his most recent 18-point showing against Illawarra, he conjured up 14PTS on 50% shooting, 2REB, 5AST and 1BLK in under 31-minutes of playing time. The only player to shoot better then him from the starting department was Rob Loe who went 2/3. Meanwhile in Game One amongst his other stats were 18PTS, as he shot a solid 3/7 from beyond the arc. At this rate he’d be a smokey pick for the Finals MVP Award and has hit some clutch fadeaway baskets over the course of this series when his team has needed him the most. He is perhaps more vital to this team then even the likes of Chris Goulding & Ian Clark.
If I had to put my money where my mouth is I’d say the Hawks will live to see another day! But this is the NBL baby and anything can happen!
Betting tips: Pick the Hawks to extend the series with a win at $2.18 (BetFair)
Also pick them to win Q1 at $2.05 (Bet Right)
Additionally the total points scored in Q4 will be 46+ at $1.79 (UniBet)
Whilst you can also pick Melbourne to have the highest scoring quarter at $1.95 (Bet365)