The weight of expectation was like an anchor on South East Melbourne Phoenix as their five-game winning streak was unceremoniously snapped by crosstown rivals Melbourne United in a 92-81 defeat at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.
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Phoenix suffered a little bit of stage fright with a rough start giving an under-the-pump United some confidence off the back of two shock losses this week.
While Phoenix enjoyed moments of dominance in the first half, it was all too fleeting as a calmer United steered by star import point guard Tyson Walker strengthened their grip the longer the game wore on.
Walker was a driving force for United with a game-high 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The 25-year-old American has fit hand in glove to United coach Dean Vickerman’s offence and has relished a heavy workload.
But Walker could be about to get some assistance in the back court with defensive maestro Shea Ili set to return from a hamstring injury next Saturday night against Brisbane.
That back court will be menacing for opposition team’s to negotiate for the remainder of the season.
Phoenix did not handle the physicality of United.
Hard edge
Vickerman called for United to be tougher than they had been in recent losses to Sydney and Illawarra and imposing centre Jesse Edwards set the tone.
The 25-year-old took on his role as protector of the team seriously.
The Dutchman set some brutal screens, including one that jolted Phoenix guard Hunter Maldonado, plus floored opponent Jordan Hunter in an off-the-ball collision that got cleared by the referees.
Edwards was the leading rebounder with 11 boards to go with nine points.
Flying Finn
Forward Finn Delany thrived as United’s secondary scorer behind Walker.
Delany’s offence was vital with 18 points, but he enjoyed a well-rounded line with five rebounds, five assists and four steals and a block.
United veteran Chris Goulding was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time since returning from a quad injury.
The captain still looks a bit rusty with 16 points, four triples on 4/11 shooting from three, but it is a positive that United is not overly reliant on a player who is 37 years of age.
United improved to 9-2, restoring faith in their status as the competition’s front runner.
Phoenix lack firepower
Another Throwdown loss is cause for concern for South East Melbourne.
For the second time this season, they were humbled in the local battle and that will not sit well for coach Josh King.
Phoenix were held to their second-lowest total of the season and are sorely missing the offensive punch of injured shooting guard Angus Glover.
The concern for Phoenix is scoring outside of star veteran guard Nathan Sobey.
Sobey produced a team-high 15 points, but no other Phoenix player touched double digits as they slumped to 7-3.
Milt miracle denied
United forward Milton Doyle was denied the shot of the season in the shadows of half time.
Doyle heaved a prayer from beyond the mid-court line and banked the shot in, but it was ruled out due to incorrect use of the shot clock, which reset when it shouldn’t have.
United still managed to take a two-point lead into half time off the back of a less spectacular Kyle Bowen layup before pulling away in the second half.
NBL SCOREBOARD
South East Melbourne Phoenix 81 (Sobey 15, Iwundu 10 Brown III 9) lost to Melbourne United 92 (Walker 24 Delany 18 Goulding 16)
At John Cain Arena, Melbourne.
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