CHRISTMAS came early for NBL fans over the weekend, with one of the best games in modern history taking place on Saturday. Ladder leaders Melbourne United took on rivals Perth Wildcats at John Cain Arena for the special annual open air game, coming away with a six-point overtime win which left the 10,175 crowd believing they had witnessed an all-time game.

The match itself was headlined by a ridiculous performance from star Perth guard Bryce Cotton. Playing the full 45 minutes, Cotton almost single-handedly led his side to an upside on the road, putting up 36 points, five rebounds and three assists, in a shooting display not to be missed.

Perth was fast out of the blocks to lead by five points at quarter time, and then extended that margin out to eight by the main break. At that point, the 50-42 scoreline looked to be going the way of the visitors, but had already produced some unbelievable basketball.

Though United was always going to come hard, few would have seen the home side putting on a show in the final term, slotting 29 points to 21, with a Chris Goulding long-range jumper cutting the deficit to one point with 20 seconds on the clock. Cotton scored one of two from the charity stripe up the other end off the deliberate foul, before United bigman Jo Lual-Acuil secured both in the final two seconds.

Perth tried to work the ball to Cotton for a hail Mary last shot, but fittingly, the game went to overtime. There, United used its experience – mainly in the form of Ian Clark who drained some important buckets as he and Cotton went head-to-head.

The home team put up a five-point lead at the first change of overtime, and despite Jordan Usher cutting that deficit to three points with 18 seconds on the clock, Clark steadied with back-to-back free throws. It was enough for United to grind out the 109-103 victory in what was sublime basketball.

Cotton shot at 55 per cent from the field, including a ridiculous six three-pointers, and only two turnovers from his five defensive rebounds and three assists on the night. He was well supported by Usher (23 points, four rebounds and two assists), while Keanu Pinder pulled in nine rebounds – five offensive – as well as four assists and five steals to go with his 15 points.

Clark’s impact in 31 minutes coming off the bench saw the backcourt import put up 25 points at a sizzling 69 [er cent, including five of seven from long-range. He, along with Goulding – 19 points, four rebounds and three assists – did plenty of damage, though both Lual-Acuil (18 points, eight rebounds) and ex-Wildcat Luke Travers (20 points, eight rebounds and five assists) were huge in getting the win.

Perth Wildcats maintain their road travel tonight up in Cairns when they take on the Taipans from 7:30pm. Melbourne United faces the exact same task next Sunday, when they face the Snakes in the final NBL match of 2023 from 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve.