GAME one of the first National Basketball League (NBL) semi-final series saw Melbourne United erase a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Illawarra Hawks by nine points in overtime on Thursday night.

The crowd at John Cain Arena was treated to a magnificent match, with the home side storming home in the final seven minutes of regulation to tie up proceedings in the dying stages of the clash. Illawarra was riding the momentum of Monday’s win over the New Zealand Breakers, and looked in control for most of game one last night.

However, United finally found their groove in the fourth quarter, and sent the game to extra time, where they outscored the Hawks 15-6 to take a 1-0 lead in the series with a 115-106 win. With game two set to take place at WIN Entertainment Centre in Illawarra on Sunday, it was vital that Melbourne did not head to the opposition’s home court down a game in the series, so the result was vital for the minor champions moving closer to the real thing.

The result was conjured on the back of a pair of outstanding individual performances from veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova and promising youngster Luke Travers, with the duo having dominant showings to show why Melbourne is considered a class above the remainder of the competition.

Melbourne United (115) def. Illawarra Hawks (106)

As expected, Illawarra came out firing on the back of playing far more recently than its opposition, with United entering the game on an 18-day break. Heading into the postseason, head coach Dean Vickerman spread his minutes across the roster in the final rounds to try and avoid such a slow start in game one, but the time off was taking its toll early against the Hawks.

Illawarra’s star big men in Sam Froling and Gary Clark were having their way inside the paint, scoring at ease as the Hawks took a five-point lead into the first change.

The second quarter saw momentum change hands on multiple occasions, with the Hawks looking to keep their noses in front against a Melbourne side that was always going to make a push. That came when Dellavedova knocked down a transition three to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

United’s lead on the back of some strong play from their point guard stretched out to as much as seven points before the ladder-leaders found the going tough offensively. Melbourne could not buy a basket to close out the second term, as Illawarra stormed home with a 6-0 run to maintain a one-point lead at half-time.

The Hawks started the third quarter in ideal fashion, bursting out of the gates with a 7-0 run to open the second half. Again it was Melbourne’s inability to find the bottom of the basket that proved its undoing. Riding a wave of confidence that proved too much for the opposition, the Hawks led by 10 points at the final change.

When Wani Swaka Lo Buluk hit a three-pointer with seven minutes remaining in regulation, Illawarra’s lead stretched out to 16 points and it looked like it was game over for the championship favourites. However, with their backs against the wall, United flicked a switch to finally find click and drag themselves off the canvas and back into the match.

The defensive intensity lifted, they lifted the tempo and the buckets started falling at last. One basket at a time, the lead started to vanish, and all of a sudden, it was a two-point game in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Illawarra’s undoing came in the form of a critical turnover from an inbounds pass from rarely-used guard Kyle Adnam, and United stormed down the other end, with Chris Goulding draining the lay-up to tie the match and remarkably send the game to overtime.

Illawarra’s chances of winning the game in an extra period were always going to be slim, given Melbourne had 18 days of extra rest and had the legs to run the game out. United looked completely in control in OT, scoring the first four points and never giving the Hawks a sniff, cruising home to one of the most remarkable playoff comebacks in NBL history.

No performance was as important as Dellavedova’s, with the NBA champion delivering his best outing at NBL level when his team needed it the most. He hit six triples en route to a massive statline of 30 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Dellavedova kept Melbourne in the match with his second quarter, and is continuing to deliver match-winning performances.

Speaking of impactful showings, Travers was outstanding down the stretch for the winning side, stepping up his output with the game on the line. He scored nine points in overtime alone and finished with 24 for the match, showcasing his ability to score at all three levels.

For Illawarra, Froling was immense early, pouring in 17 of his 24 points in the first half, while Clark showed why he was selected to the All-NBL First Team with a big double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Game two will take place at WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm AEDT.