Phoenix rise above United
NEW franchise South East Melbourne Phoenix have stunned cross-town rivals Melbourne United to win a thrilling NBL season opener 91-88.
Melbourne’s newest sporting rivalry came to life last night at a packed Melbourne Arena with the upstart Phoenix holding off United in the finals second to record an impressive debut victory.
Marquee signing Mitch Creek made a stunning return to the NBL with a 28-point, 11rebound haul and import guard John Roberson added 20 as the Phoenix overcame the loss of Tai Wesley (hamstring) in the first quarter.
United rallied from ten points down in the fourth quarter to level the scores at 84-all but Creek’s clutch threepointer put his side in sight of victory with 50 seconds to play.
United guard Melo Trimble then missed a game-tying three-pointer with three seconds left, allowing the Phoenix to hold on at the death.
United stars Chris Goulding (27 points) and Shawn Long (26 points, 13 rebounds) almost carried their side to victory but lacked support outside Trimble (16) and Mitch McCarron (13).
Both teams came into the match at less than full strength with key players sidelined through injury, but it was the Phoenix reserves who come to play as they outscored United’s bench 26-4.
The Phoenix made a flying start with Creek and Wesley combining for 15 points to hand the expansion franchise an early 11-point advantage.
But United capitalised following Wesley’s departure with Goulding and McCarron connecting from outside while Long finished off a 12-0 run for the home side to lead 22-21 after one quarter.
Roberson found his shooting rhythm in the second quarter with a quick-fire 10 points as the Phoenix restored their double-digit buffer.
United surged again to draw level but Creek steered the away team to a 49-43 edge by leading all scorers with 16 for the half.
The tension lifted in the third quarter as both sides battled to grab the ascendancy but with United unable to find scoring help beyond their stars, the Phoenix pounced to take a 69-60 lead into the final quarter. AAP