United to take on Kings in semis

IT took until the final game of the regular season, but Melbourne United has finally booked its place in the NBL semi-finals with a 109-90 victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix.

United led from start to finish in yesterday’s local derby at Melbourne Arena to record its 15th win of the season, earning fourth spot on percentage ahead of the Brisbane Bullets and New Zealand Breakers.

The result also locks United into a mouth-watering best-ofthree semi-final series with the league-leading Sydney Kings, opening on February 29 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

After struggling for consistency for most of the season, United roared home by winning four of the last five games to qualify for its third consecutive finals campaign.

Brisbane’s playoff hopes rested on the Phoenix upsetting Melbourne after Saturday’s 36-point demolition of Cairns saw the Bullets overtake NZ in fourth spot.

But United took control of the do-or-die contest from the outset, captain Chris Goulding piling on 15 points in the first quarter, then answering every challenge from the Phoenix to claim the season series 3-1 against the first-year franchise.

Goulding went on to lead all scorers with 28 points with Shawn Long (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Melo Trimble (20 points) instrumental in the victory. Ben Madgen top-scored for the Phoenix with 23 points while Tai Wesley added 20.

Meanwhile, Cairns finished the regular season third but will limp into its best-of-three semi-final series against Perth from February 28 smarting from two straight losses capped by Saturday’s ambush in Brisbane.

Cairns coach Mike Kelly said the Taipans would rebound against the Wildcats.

“It’s going to be a dogfight in Perth,” he said.