Anthony's perfect start as United outlasts McVeigh, Taipans

Cole Anthony showed just why his signing at Melbourne United was so hyped as he made his first NBL pre-season appearance by starring with 27 points and five three-pointers in his team's 113-97 win over the Cairns Taipans at Casey Stadium.

It was the last hit out for both teams ahead of next week's Blitz in Bendigo and while there were some big names missing from each, all eyes were on Anthony as he pulled on a United uniform for the first time.

The 26-year-old 367-game NBA guard whose best season at the Orlando Magic saw him put up 16.3 points, 5.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds a game took no time adjusting to life on an NBL floor.

He already had eight points, two rebounds and two assists with a couple of three balls in the first quarter. By the end of the night had put together 27 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.

That included him shooting 5/11 from the outside including completing a four-point play in the last quarter. He did all that in just 24 minutes of court time and with his back court partner Shea Ili still to join him who is with the New Zealand Tall Blacks this weekend.

On the back of the impressive start from Anthony, Melbourne were leading 27-15 by the end of the first quarter while going 4/9 from the outside and the Taipans just 1/10 who came into the game without Keanu Pinder, Jonah Bolden, Jaylon Brown, Sunday Dech, Jaylin Galloway, Malique Lewis, Luke Paul and Luca Yates.

It was a high-scoring affair the rest of the way starting in the second quarter with Melbourne adding another 31 points with 5/8 three-point shooting with Anthony hitting another.

Joe Ingles also had nine points on 3/5 shooting from the outside to half-time with Josh Oduro adding nine points while Cairns did have 28 points themselves on 8/13 shooting with Jack McVeigh up to 13 points by the half.

Melbourne were leading 57-43 going into the break before another 37 points to 25 in the third term despite McVeigh adding a further eight points for the Snakes.

It was then 29 points each in the final frame with United going on to win by 16 points with Keegan Crawford coaching the team in the absence of Jacob Chance with Luke Travers, Ili and Sam Waardenburg away on international duties too.

On top of what Cole Anthony did for Melbourne, Josh Oduro finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists with 7/7 free-throw shooting.

Development player Christian D'Angelo also impressed with 18 points on 3/5 three-point shooting coming off a standout NBL1 South at the Nunawading Spectres.

Chris Goulding also had 13 points despite 2/10 shooting from the outside with Joe Ingles having a strong first half and ending up with 12 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals in 16 minutes, and Fabijan Krslovic 11 points and four boards.

There were plenty missing for the Taipans and then they also lost Kyrin Galloway in the first quarter while the best of their fill-in players was Preston Bungei on his regular NBL1 South floor for the Casey Cavaliers with 11 points.

Jack McVeigh delivered 21 points and six assists with 4/6 three-point shooting in just 18 minutes with younger brother Lloyd adding 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks after his standout NBL1 Central season at the South Adelaide Panthers.

Kobe Williamson contributed nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks, Reyne Smith nine points, three boards and three assists, and Walter Brown eight points and five rebounds.

Shaun Bruce once again showed he's ready for a bigger role than he has had the last couple of seasons in Sydney with another 10 points, three rebounds and two assists as point guard.

MELBOURNE UNITED 113 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 97

Melbourne United
Cole Anthony – 27 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
Christian D'Angelo – 18 points, 3/5 3PT
Josh Oduro – 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Chris Goulding – 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Joe Ingles – 12 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Cairns Taipans
‍Jack McVeigh – 21 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
Preston Bungei – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks
Shaun Bruce – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Lloyd McVeigh 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Reyne Smith – 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists