Melbourne pour more NBL heat on under-fire Kings
Jack White has posted a crucial double-double as Melbourne United continued their NBL march with an 87-83 win over the under-fire Sydney Kings.
In the first of four games in a tough 10-day stretch, Melbourne weathered a storm as the Kings threw everything at them at John Cain Arena on Thursday night.
White nailed two ice-cool three-pointers in the final 70 seconds to lift his side to victory, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Matthew Dellavedova (16 points, five rebounds) was also important, and Chris Goulding finished with 14 points despite landing just 2-of-10 three-point attempts.
Melbourne’s third-straight win gave them a 7-3 record in second spot on the ladder behind Illawarra.
Pressure is mounting on the Kings (5-5), who are on a three-game losing skid.
Their latest loss came despite outstanding performances from Cam Oliver (18 points, 16 rebounds) and Xavier Cooks (18 points).
In a tight first half, Melbourne’s lead briefly got out to 10 points during the second period but was cut back to three by the main break.
There was controversy at the halftime buzzer, when United felt Goulding was fouled by Cooks on the three-point line.
Goulding, White and Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman all approached referee Vaughan Mayberry to question the decision, but it was to no avail.
Their mood didn’t improve when Sydney went on a 9-3 run to start to the second half, underlined by a huge Oliver dunk, which forced Vickerman into a time-out.
United lost Ian Clark to an accidental poke in the eye from Izayah Le’afa, while Cooks and Jaylin Galloway tried to lift the Kings in the final quarter.
Goulding was 1-of-9 from long range early in the final term but put Melbourne ahead with a big three with less than two minutes left.
Adams responded with a pair of running floaters but White settled the contest with his two late three-point daggers.
Sydney are back in action in a home clash with Tasmania on Sunday, while Melbourne host New Zealand on Monday night.
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