DESPITE a late full court heave from JaVale McGee that was nothing but net, the Illawarra Hawks fell three points short as Melbourne United exacted their revenge for last year’s National Basketball League (NBL) Championship Series.

McGee hauled up a prayer from beyond the halfcourt line that would have tied proceedings, and it remarkably found the bottom of the net as WIN Entertainment Centre erupted on Friday night. However, it was ruled to be a split second too late, and the shot was waved off as United managed to hold on for a thrilling victory.

It was one of the games of the season, and a contest that lived up to the billing, as Melbourne got the job done in enemy territory to get one back on the Hawks after the reigning champions stunned the ladder-leaders earlier in the month.

Illawarra Hawks (103) def. by Melbourne United (105)

It was an extremely high-scoring first quarter, with a combined 72 points dropped in the opening 10 minutes of the match as the offence was flowing from both teams. It was an extremely high-paced contest, with the ball zooming from end to end as the two sides looked to get to their spots early, and at the first change, it was the visitors who led by five points.

After such a high-scoring start to the match, Justin Tatum and the Hawks put an emphasis on defence to open the second frame. United managed one basket in the first five minutes of the second frame, which allowed Illawarra to take the lead as the offence dried up for the visitors. However, Chris Goulding single-handedly sparked Melbourne back into the fight with three triples, and despite their offensive drought initially, United led by six points at the main break.

The third quarter saw plenty of back and forth action, with the Hawks dragged back into the contest by their big names in McGee and Tyler Harvey. However, United were doing enough to keep their noses in front, and still led by three points with a quarter to play as the crowd at WIN Entertainment Centre began to get vocal.

Illawarra import guard QJ Peterson came alive in the fourth quarter, putting on a shotmaking clinic to keep the Hawks in the match and generate some offence for the hosts. With the match tied and just seconds on the clock, Finn Delany knocked down a corner three with 17 seconds on the clock to give Melbourne the lead. McGee tried to answer in the dying seconds but his shot was ruled off in an exhilarating finish to a terrific contest.

Goulding knocked down five triples en route to 23 points for the match in a venue where he often receives a cool reception, while Milton Doyle had 19 points and seven assists for the visitors as well in a strong showing.

McGee finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, and was almost the game-winner on his home court in what would have been one of the greatest shots in NBL history, while Peterson’s last quarter blitz saw him end the contest with 22 points of his own.