2 weeks Ago By Melissa Woods
Melbourne have thumped an undermanned Cairns in a one-sided battle to continue their surge up the NBL ladder, signing for a 106-63 victory. Days after taking the scalp of competition front-runners Illawarra, United were in full control in their Sunday afternoon clash with Cairns at John Cain Arena. The 43-point margin was just shy of their 45-point record.
The Taipans arrived in Melbourne with some confidence after winning six of their past seven meetings, but were outclassed from the opening tip-off. Melbourne led 23-12 at quarter-time and piled on 31 points in the second term to lead 54-30 by half-time. United captain Chris Goulding, who has been under fire from a rival coach and owner for allegedly "flopping", was happy to share the spoils around his team, with five players in double figures.
Goulding finished with 15 points from a 17-minute shift, Flynn Cameron added 18, while Jack White put in a huge shift with 16 as well as 13 rebounds from his 20 minutes. The hefty margin allowed United coach Dean Vickerman to empty his bench, with all of his players getting on the scoresheet. Missing injured trio Pedro Bradshaw, Taran Armstrong and Tanner Groves, the Taipans struggled to make a dent against Melbourne's tough defensive unit.
Centre Sam Waardenburg and Jonah Antonio (11 points) led the scoring for the Taipans, but the visitors were only converting from the floor at 28 per cent, compared with Melbourne's 47 per cent. Cairns' three-point figures were even worse, managing just five from 25 shots. United hit triple-figures through a three-pointer by Kyle Bowen with just over three minutes remaining in the match, the final hooter welcomed by the visitors.
The win sets up an enthralling contest on Thursday, with United hosting the Sydney Kings, who suffered their second straight loss, going down to New Zealand earlier in the day..
