It was almost a case of history repeating itself but not even superstar Jack McVeigh could pull off a second straight three-point buzzer beater with Melbourne United forcing the NBL24 Championship series to a deciding game five on Sunday.
In another thrilling contest between the competition’s two best outfits, it was United that walked away 88-86 winners at MyState Bank Arena on Thursday night.
In a series full of big moments, it was Melbourne who came up big down the stretch with a Shea Ili steal and bucket followed by a Matthew Dellavedova drive for a two giving the visitors the lead with just 7.2 seconds on the clock.
Watch Game 5 of the NBL Championship Series LIVE with ESPN on Kayo Sports, 4pm Sunday March 31. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
And while it was Tasmania who won game three on an inbound pass, they weren’t able to do the same on home floor thanks to a Jo Lual-Acuil steal in the paint denying Majok Deng the chance to win it for Tasmania.
A foul from Tasmania then took Ian Clark to the line but after the American missed the second of two, the door remained open for McVeigh to once again be the hero.
But even he, who dominated with 28 points and seven rebounds, could drain another half-court three with Melbourne drawing the series at 2-2 heading into Sunday’s game five at John Cain Arena.
McVeigh played like a man possessed and was clearly keeping Tasmania in the game during the first-half with star import Milton Doyle going scoreless across the first two quarters.
NBA Wrap: Durant heroics down Denver | 01:45
McVeigh started game four the same way he finished game three, dropping the first bucket of the contest, with Tasmania dominating the early stages despite Fabian Krslovic going 0/3 from deep after replacing injured center Marcus Lee in the starting five.
Tasmania’s game three hero had nine points early with the home side taking a three-point lead into the first break thanks to a 7/23 quarter from United.
With star duo Dellavedova and Chris Goulding quiet by their lofty standards in the first-half, it was left to Luke Travers and Ian Clark to spark life into United who improved its work around the rim to take a 41-39 lead into the main break, despite McVeigh dropping 18 first-half points.
An unsuccessful coach’s challenge for Tasmania started a rolling chain of drama after the break that included back-to-back threes from Goulding before Lual-Acuil was benched following his fourth foul mid-way through the term.
In a seesawing final term, it was ultimately United that ended as victors in another classic between Tasmania and Melbourne.
Discussion about this post