With his team seconds away from a famous victory, little-used Illawarra Hawks point guard Kyle Adnam inexplicably threw the ball away from the inbounds pass with 18 seconds left in regulation, and Melbourne United gleefully accepted the donation, scoring through Chris Goulding to take the game to overtime.
Staring a 16-point deficit in the face early in the fourth quarter, United pulled off a miraculous come-from-behind win to take game one of the best-of-three semi final series 115-106 in overtime at a rocking John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
Chants of “Melbourne” rained down as the pro-United crowd showed their appreciation for the never-say-die attitude of their team.
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United can clinch their first trip to the NBL grand final since 2020-21 with a win in game two in Illawarra on Sunday.
Veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova was the architect for United.
The 33-year-old produced his game of the season with 30 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and four steals.
His impact was so significant, the crowd was chanting “MVP” when Dellavedoca went to the free throw line late in the game.
Talented young forward Luke Travers was instrumental with 24 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two and Goulding bobbed up at crucial times with 18 points, including four threes.
The Hawks have gone close the past two times against United, but the minor premiers have their measure.
That is five straight wins for United over the Hawks and Justin Tatum’s men must be wondering what they have to do to break through for a victory.
The quality of play in the first half was straight from the top shelf.
Hawks centre Sam Froling’s finesse on the inside saw the visitors settle the better.
Froling, who had a team-high 26 points, was aggressive with 17 first half points and caused headaches for United starting centre Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
United’s slow start was remedied by Travers, who started to take over.
Locked in Luke
Travers was clearly locked in, as you would expect from a player who opted to sit out national representation to focus on United’s playoffs.
Hawks import forward Gary Clark went up a notch for the playoffs with 22 points and 12 rebounds, but he will be frustrated by his five turnovers.
Goulding, who had knocked down a three-pointer in 57 consecutive games, hit three first half triples.
With the Hawks leading by four midway through the second, Dellavedova took a stand, stealing the ball off a driving Clark and transitioning for a three.
It was the catalyst to United taking the lead for the first time in the game.
Sam the man
But the Froling show rolled on.
The league’s Next Generation Award recipient was nigh on unstoppable.
His stand out play helped the Hawks go on a 6-0 run and take a 57-56 lead at half time.
The Hawks came out of half time with all guns blazing, going on a 7-0 run, as United struggled to match the Hawks up tempo style,
Up 16 early in the fourth, the Hawks looked set to cause an upset, but United came roaring back to steal victory in overtime.
Public enemy
Justin Robinson had a target on his back all game.
Robinson was charged with an unsportsmanlike foul when he bowled over United fan favourite Shea Ili in a play straight from an AFL playbook and it drew the ire of the home fans.
The United fans made their displeasure known, booing the American in unison.
NBL SCOREBOARD
Melbourne United 115 (Dellavedova 30 Travers 24 Goulding 18) d Illawarra Hawks 106 (Froling 26 Clark 22 Harvey 15)
At John Cain Arena, Melbourne
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