Melbourne United coasted to a 93-62 win over a disappointing Townsville Crocodiles in the National Basketball League at Hisense Arena on Wednesday night.
United is the hottest team in the league right now, notching their fourth straight victory to sit clear on top of the ladder.
With two more games to come on a six-game home stand, there would appear to be no end in sight to United’s dominance over the opening month of the season.
“It’s a great start for us,” United forward Daniel Kickert said after the game.
“We’ve played quality teams and we’re fortunate to have a couple at home to get that momentum with us.”
United blew the visitors out of the water in the first half.
They led 27 points at half time and maintained that buffer throughout extended junk time in the second half.
United coach Dean Demopoulos was afforded the rare luxury of resting his starting five for most of the second half and gave the second unit extended court time.
Star import Hakim Warrick only played five minutes, ensuring he will be fresh for United’s important clash with a tougher Cairns Taipans on Saturday night.
United’s other import, point guard Stephen Holt, kick-started the rout with a stunning first half performance.
Holt, who played for Saint Mary’s at college in the US and with the Canton Charge in the NBA Development League, showed why he has been an NBA summer league participant with the Atlanta Hawks, firing home 19 points on six-from-10 shooting, including four three-pointers.
He did all of that in just 20 minutes of action.
Holt’s work was just as impressive at the defensive end, disrupting the Crocs offense with his shuffling feet and quick hands.
If Holt was the set-up man, Kickert was the closer.
Kickert was incredibly efficient, scoring 22 points on nine-from-12 shooting, to go with four threes from just five attempts.
There were times during the third quarter when the Crocs found Kickert nigh on unguardable.
So often he would cruise effortlessly to the basket for lay ups, but when the lane was congested, he would go to plan B, using his silky long range shot to devastating effect.
United centre Majok Majok had a big impact defensively in the key.
While Majok reeled in 13 rebounds to go with his five points, it was his ability to slam the door shut on the Crocs reigning NBL MVP Brian Conklin and centre Luke Schenscher in the paint that went some way to keeping the visitors to a low score.
Not until Majok took an early seat on the sidelines did the Crocs have any success under the basket.
By which time, United’s second unit was lapping up their extended run, with Igor Hadziomerovic (12 points), Chris Patton (seven points and six rebounds) and Nate Tomlinson (four assists and two steals) maintaining the rage.
The Crocs had little to smile about after the blow out loss, but sharpshooter Clint Steindl fought hard against the tide to finish with 19 points, including five three-pointers.
United will host the Cairns Taipans at Hisense Arena on Saturday night.
Tickets are available through www.melbourneutd.com.au.
NBL
Melbourne United 93 (Kickert 22, Holt 19, Goulding 14) d Townsville Crocodiles 62 (Steindl 19, Kay 9, Jett 8, Young 8).
Star Weekly’s best …
Stephen Holt (United): Hardly put a foot wrong. Clean handling the ball, lethal driving in the lane and disruptive in defence.
Daniel Kickert (United): Showcased his sweet shooting stroke and long range to finish with a game-high 22 points.
Majok Majok (United): Had the biggest task of all United players, defending the dangerous Crocs bigs and did so with aplomb.
