IT was an entertaining start to the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season, with Melbourne United getting revenge on the Tasmania JackJumpers to kick off HoopsFest in Perth on Thursday night.

All five games for the first round are set to take place out West, with last year’s grand finalists facing off at RAC Arena following a WNBL preseason clash. There was extra motivation for United, after falling to the JackJumpers in five games in the Championship Series, in a fitting way to begin the new season.

History did not repeat itself, with Melbourne breaking away in the second half to claim a nine-point victory in a perfect start to their championship quest.

Melbourne United (88) def. Tasmania JackJumpers (79)

It was a scrappy start to the game, with both sides missing easy shots as signs of rust from United clashed with wear and tear from a Tasmania side that came in shorthanded after picking up injuries in the weekend’s FIBA Intercontinental clashes in Singapore.

The JackJumpers got out to an early six-point lead on the back of some solid offensive work from Jordan Crawford, who was slicing through the defence and creating plenty of space with his tight handle around the perimeter. However, Melbourne returned serve with a 13-0 run which saw it lead by three at the first change.

After a close second term, the third period was where United truly began to show their ascendancy, jumping out to a nine-point lead in seemingly no time at all. Tasmania began to play undisciplined defence, and the margin sat at 11 at three quarter time.

JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl knocked down some long-range shots in the fourth quarter to give Tasmania a slim chance, but Melbourne simply had too many shotmakers, holding on for a win on the opening night of the season.

Star Melbourne guard Matthew Dellavedova may have been benched throughout the preseason, but he showed his value to the starting lineup with an outstanding performance on Thursday. He delivered 21 points, three rebounds and six assists in a match-winning showing.

Fellow guard Shea Ili had 14 points and was his typical disruptive self, while returning forward Jack White had 14 points and seven rebounds in a solid showing.

Despite a slow start going 0/5 from the field, professional scorer Milton Doyle worked his way into the game with 23 points for the JackJumpers, while all of Anthony Drmic‘s 14 points came in the first half.