FRESH off an impressive win over New Zealand Breakers, Brisbane Bullets hope to make it consecutive victories at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre when they take on Melbourne United tonight. Early season ladder leaders United have lost five of their past six games and slumped to 14-7 after being 13-2 at one point, and will be desperate to turn their form around.

Despite the recent matches, United is still strong favourite to defeat Brisbane on the road, with the Bullets finally grabbing a win under interim coach Darryl McDonald. On top of that change on the sidelines, the Bullets are set to welcome Hunter Maldonado to the club, with the now former Phoenix import released in order for South East Melbourne to bring in Ian Clark.

Brisbane Bullets vs Melbourne United

Saturday, December 27 @ 8pm
Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Melbourne United’s incredible offence is what got the club to the top of the table, averaging 94.8 points per game. They have only scored once above that average in the past six matches – 97 in a 22-point win over Illawarra – as they have struggled more in that facet.

Under McDonald, the Bullets really lifted their offence during a 14-point victory over the Breakers on December 22, pouring on 99 points, a day before United slumped to a 73-92 defeat to the JackJumpers. The big question on everyone’s lips is, could United – early season title favourites – have slipped so far to lose to a Bullets side that early days struggled to buy a win and sacked their coach?

Veteran Chris Goulding could hold the key for United in the game, with his outside shooting a thing of beauty, but even he has struggled at times, with 0/5 from that range in the loss to the JackJumpers. Star talent Milton Doyle needs to find his best again, while most of the side has been travelling average rather than the dominant force they once were.

Brisbane has been riddled with injury but showed plenty of heart against the Breakers, with Tyrell Harrison (24 points, 11 rebounds) and Javon Freeman-Liberty (13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists) the key stars off the boards and really setting up the offence. If they can repeat those performances, United fans will be a little nervous.

On paper, Melbourne should have too much depth for the Bullets, with Tyson Walker and Jesse Edwards ticking along nicely while the youth of Dash Daniels provides a nice spark. The Bullets – due to their injuries – have had to do some patchwork at times, though United will also be without one of their top stars for the game with Finn Delany replaced by Campbell Blogg for personal reasons.

Brisbane is of course minus star big Lamar Patterson and Casey Prather who will not feature again this season, boasting the longest injury list of any side. United is down a big as well with Shea Ili out of action until Round 19 with a hamstring injury. It means both teams will field some youth along with experience, and it could come down to whether the new spark of McDonald will help cause a massive upset, or if United can get back to business.

Surely United – like they did against the Hawks – should be too experienced for a wounded Bullets side, but there is plenty of heart for the home team, and notching up this win would give Brisbane’s Play-In hopes the faintest of heartbeats.