Melbourne United have registered a fourth straight home win, surviving a furious comeback from the Adelaide 36ers to claim the Thursday night NBL fixture 94-91.
American rookie Jordan McRae scored a game-high 23 points and Daniel Kickert added 22 as the pair combined to shoot 16-33 from the field.
A flurry of points from McRae and wing Lucas Walker helped break open a tight contest mid-way through the third period until an off-balance three by McRae at the quarter buzzer propelled United to a 76-67 lead heading into the final term.
Star Adelaide recruit Brock Motum turned in a 16-point second half to keep the 36ers within range, cutting the deficit to three on a roll deep into the paint with one and a half minutes remaining. But after forcing McRae into a tough corner jump shot with 20 seconds left and the game still hanging in the balance, the 36ers somehow failed to secure the defensive rebound and allowed the home side to finish off the victory at the foul line.
“It was a great team win for us, I’m stoked,” star big man Kickert said in a post-match broadcast interview.
“They’re a good defensive side and they make good adjustments so I took my opportunities early, but it took me a little longer to get back into it when they made their adjustments.”
United are starting to finally click after a rough start to the season.
“I think it’s just a thing with time,” he said. “You get to learn with each other play and get comfortable.”
“Guys get other guys shots now and defensively I think we’ve been really good, which is playing to our advantage- transition.”
Adelaide were led by 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists from Jamar Wilson, who will need to back up those numbers when the 36ers host the dangerous Sydney Kings on Sunday.
Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.
