United grabs NBL ladder glory

MELBOURNE United will finish on top of the NBL ladder after defeating the New Zealand Breakers twice in three days, but the battle for second place will go down to the final round of the regular season.

United secured the minor premiership by following up Friday night’s 89-83 home win over the Breakers with a 100-82 result on the road, its first win in New Zealand, to earn home-court advantage in next month’s playoffs.

The home side led by eight early in the second quarter but United reeled off nine points and surged to victory behind 14-of-27 shooting from beyond the arc, guard Chris Goulding hitting four triples in his team- high 21 points. “It means something for us ... obviously it hasn’t been a great winning percentage for the club,” Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said. “To split the season series with them, I think that’s important for our confidence.”

The Breakers fell to fourth, with their hopes of home-court advantage in the semi-finals dependent on beating the Illa- warra Hawks and an in-form Sydney Kings in the final round.

The Adelaide 36ers took sole possession of second spot after crushing the Hawks in the final quarter to win 111-87 in Wollongong yesterday, with centre Daniel Johnson pacing Adelaide with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The 36ers can lock in a top- two finish with victory over the Brisbane Bullets in Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

Perth’s quest for a top-two finish hit a hurdle on Friday after losing to Cairns Taipans.

The defending champs could not stop the Taipans’ outside shooters as the visitors drained 17 three-pointers to secure the upset 85-83 victory.

The loss leaves third-placed Wildcats the job of ending United’s seven-match home streak on Friday night then defeating Cairns on Sunday to have a chance of home-court advantage for the semi-finals.

The Sydney Kings’ late-season resurgence continued on Saturday afternoon after defeating the Brisbane Bullets 92-80 for their fourth win in five matches.