Melbourne United defeats Illawarra Hawks in NBL grand final series opener

Melbourne United pulled off a stunning 96-88 victory over the Illawarra Hawks in Game 1 of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) Grand Final series, taking the lead in the best-of-five series. Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova's resurgence in the late stages of the game proved crucial to the team's win, demonstrating their championship pedigree.

Goulding and Dellavedova had a relatively quiet performance for most of the game on Saturday night in Wollongong, with the Hawks leading 53-43 at halftime. However, Melbourne United dominated in the second half, putting on an especially impressive display in the fourth quarter, turning the tide with strategic adjustments.

In the fourth quarter, Goulding and Dellavedova each hit two long-range three-pointers, helping the visitors outscore Illawarra 32-21. Dellavedova ultimately contributed 18 points, while Goulding's 10 points in the fourth quarter brought his total to 15. Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds), Shea Ili (13 points), and Ian Clark (13 points) also made significant contributions to the team, showcasing Melbourne's depth.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman stated that he was "absolutely confident" that Goulding would recover from his early-game slump. "You know he's going to find a way," Vickerman said. "If he's not scoring, and two are on him, he's going to get off the basketball and share it. He just cares about winning. It doesn't matter how many points he scores. If it helps somebody else get open, he's going to do it. We saw his rebounding in the semi-final series, his ability to get on the floor. He's going to do all those things that help you win," emphasizing Goulding's all-around impact.

For Illawarra, only Sam Froling (16 points), Todd Blanchfield (13 points), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (11 points), and Will Hickey (14 points) scored in double figures. Game 2 of the Grand Final series will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday night, presenting the Hawks with an immediate opportunity to respond.