Breakers edged by United in NBL Return

Back in action after two exhibition matches against NBA opposition in the United States, the BNZ Breakers have narrowly succumed to table topping Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

The result was Melbourne's ninth consecutive home win over the Breakers and gave Dean Vickerman's team a 6-1 record for the season.

Veteran shooter Chris Goulding fired a series of final quarter clutch three-pointers to power United to ultimately a 97-88 win.

Goulding had a quiet first half but drove daggers into the visitors when he landed four triples after the main break.

In his 300th game for Melbourne, Goulding twice launched bombs from the corner to help United edge ahead in a tight contest.

Jo Lual-Acuil (16 points) and import Ian Clark (18) also came up with big plays in the final period as Melbourne outscored their opponents 33-25 with the game on the line.

Lual-Acuil threw his weight around in his second game after a long-term wrist injury, and Clark's wide-open three gave United a nine-point buffer with 38 seconds left to play.

Such was Goulding's confidence in his teammate, he turned around to celebrate the game-sealing bucket with the home crowd before Clark had even released his shot.

Melbourne had five scorers in double figures in an even team performance in the absence of injured guard Matthew Dellavedova, who has missed two games because of his latest concussion setback.

Shea Ili's three-point heave on the buzzer gave Melbourne a 23-13 lead at the end of the first period.

NBA prospect Luke Travers excited the home fans with 15 first-half points and a brilliant swipe of Mangok Mathiang's attempted pass, which led to a lay-up.

But Zylan Cheatham's 13 points in the same time frame gave New Zealand a 43-42 advantage at the main break.

The Breakers' lead grew to six during the third period but another buzzer beater, this time from Clark, reclaimed the ascendancy for United in a tight tussle.

Cheatham led all scorers with 30 points and received great help from Parker Jackson-Cartwright (18) until the guard fouled out inside the last four minutes.

Former NBA forward Anthony Lamb had 15 points and five rebounds on his NBL debut for New Zealand.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 4

MELBOURNE UNITED 97 (Clark 18, Goulding 16, Ili 16)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 88 (Cheatham 30, Jackson-Cartwright 18, Lamb 15)

BOX SCORE