United imports fire again in Bullets thrashing

Cole Anthony and Josh Oduro combined for another 60 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists on 24/29 shooting as Melbourne United made it four straight wins with the 120-92 home win against the Brisbane Bullets.

Both teams entered the Saturday night match up at John Cain Arena in winning form with United having won three straight, and the Bullets their past couple.

But Melbourne had been dominant in recent times against Brisbane having won the last five, and 17 of the last 18 going back further, and the home team worked on top in the first quarter to be leading by 12 at quarter-time.

The lead for United got out to 23 in the second quarter too but the Bullets kept on fighting despite having lost Jaylin Williams to a shoulder injury.

It was back to a 10-point game by three quarter-time, but Melbourne had the answers with 37 points to 19 in the last period to score the 28-point win to make it four straight and improve to 7-5.

Not only did Oduro finish with 28 points, 14 rebounds and two steals on 11/15 shooting for Melbourne, but he completely nullified Bullets centre Tyrell Harrison who had just five points and five rebounds with four turnovers and only four shot attempts.

Anthony then also delivered 32 points and six assists with 13/14 field goal shooting and going 6/6 at the foul line.

Tom Wilson made all six of his shot attempts including three from the outside for 13 points with Malith Machar adding 11 points and two rebounds, Shea Ili seven points and three boards, and Chris Goulding seven points despite just 12 minutes with foul trouble.

The Bullets are now 6-6 on the season with Lat Mayen top-scoring off the bench with 15 points on 3/4 three-point shooting with captain Mitch Norton going 3/5 for 13 points with three assists.

Nate Hinton added 13 points, four steals and three assists, Taine Murray 12 points and two assists, and Harry Rouhliadeff found his range for the first time this season with 3/7 from deep for nine points.

Both teams came into the match up in winning form but it was United with the hot start going 12/19 from the field and a perfect 4/4 from deep to be leading 29-17 by quarter-time.

Josh Oduro already had six points and five rebounds with Tom Wilson hitting both triples for six points while Nate Hinton had six points and Mitch Norton five for a Bullets team who were shooting 7/19.

Both teams had a good offensive groove through the second quarter combining for 64 points and by the end of it, Melbourne remained in control leading 62-48.

United put up another 33 points on 11/18 shooting from the floor and 10/13 from the foul line with Cole Anthony up to 16 points on perfect 7/7 shooting despite three fouls while Oduro already had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bullets kept on fighting, though, and had the deficit back to just 10 by three quarter-time on the back of 25 points in the third term on 10/24 shooting and going 5/11 from downtown.

Melbourne were still leading 83-73 with Oduro and Anthony having combined for 42 points with the former having 12 rebounds and the latter five assists on 9/10 shooting.

United just had too much firepower and were fresher come the final quarter and put up another 37 points to 19 to secure the 28-point win to make four in-a-row.

Melbourne now hit the road for a fascinating Thursday night battle with the Adelaide 36ers while the Bullets are away to the New Zealand Breakers on Friday before hosting the Tasmania JackJumpers on Sunday.

MELBOURNE UNITED 120 – BRISBANE BULLETS 92

Melbourne United
Cole Anthony – 32 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 13/14 FG
Josh Oduro – 28 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals, 11/15 FG
Tom Wilson – 13 points, 6/6 FG, 3/3 3PT
Malith Machar – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2/2 3PT
Shea Ili – 7 points, 3 rebounds

Brisbane Bullets
Lat Mayen – 15 points, 3/4 3PT
Mitch Norton – 13 points, 3 assists, 3/5 3PT
Nate Hinton – 13 points, 4 steals, 3 assists
Taine Murray – 12 points, 2 assists
Harry Rouhliadeff – 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3/7 3PT