Hot-shooting United down Kings at Blitz

The Sydney Kings have lost a high-scoring NBL Blitz affair to Melbourne United 105-87 on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast. 

Match summary 

In a high-scoring start to the fixture, United (thanks to hitting seven of their first 11 shots) raced out to a 19-9 lead midway through the term, despite sharp play by the returning Jaylen Adams and Jaylin Galloway. That lead grew to double digits after a Chris Goulding triple but and-one plays by Galloway and Alex Toohey (two of them) made it 26-23 in the final minutes of the period. Late dunks by Jonah Bolden and Luke Travers saw it finish 32-28 after one term. 

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Mahmod Abdelfattah’s side opened the second period on a 13-5 run, sparked by Makuach Maluach and Denzel Valentine, to give them their first lead of the fixture – eventually forcing United into a time-out at 46-41. Timely buckets by Kouat Noi and Jordi Hunter kept the Kings’ noses in front, despite inspired play by Tanner Krebs. Late dunks by Ariel Hukporti saw United regain the lead (55-54) in the final minute before half-time – before a Toohey triple and Matthew Dellavedova and-one made it 58-57 at the main break. 

The offensive firepower of both sides continued to be on show in the third, with Goulding landing back-to-back triples from the corner to extend United’s lead to six. That grew to 11 thanks to a 24-7 run by the Victorians, capped by yet another long bomb by Goulding. More strong play by Bolden – at both ends of the court – kept the Kings in it down the stretch. A late three by Adams made it 94-76 at the final change. 

In the fourth, the Hoops Capital club battled but both teams dried up on the offensive end, with only six combined points being scored through the first six minutes of the period. Regular programming resumed after that, with Bolden and Glover doing their best to close for the margin for the purple and gold. But United kept adding to the scoreboard, through Krebs and Hukporti, to run out winners 105-87. 

Where the match was decided 

United claimed the win due to statistical victories in field goal percentage (46-39 per cent), assists (28-24), points in the paint (48-32), points off turnovers (24-19) and fast break points (20-16) - while also committing 11 less turnovers (20-9) than the Kings. 

Key moment  

United starting the third quarter on a 24-7 run, highlighted by three triples by Goulding, proved to be the difference between the two sides. 

Player of the game 

The standout performer for the harbour city side on Wednesday was NBL Next Star Toohey. Despite coming off the bench, he tallied 19 points, two rebounds, two assists and one block. 

Other standouts were Bolden (16 points, six boards, one dime and one steal) and Valentine (11 points, seven rebounds and three assists). 

What’s next 

Abdelfattah’s side will now shift their attention to Friday’s third and final 2023 Blitz fixture with Brisbane at the Gold Coast – tipping off at 7.30pm. 

Once again, the pre-season fixture will be broadcast live on Kayo Freebies.