Preview: Adelaide vs Melbourne (Round 1)

Friday, September 29, 2023

Can Adelaide bounce back from a disappointing Friday night defeat, or will Melbourne make it two wins from two?

Sunday, October 1 at 2pm AEST at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies | 10 Peach and 10 Play -International viewership details
Box scores: Download the free NBL App

Ahead of Round 1 NBL legend, Lanard Copeland said if Adelaide loses both its Round 1 games in convincing fashion, then it could well be panic stations for the club.

That’s exactly what is facing the 36ers now.

They exploded out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter but were pegged back by the Bullets across the remainder of the game, and the final score resulted in a 30-point swing and a 15-point loss for CJ Bruton’s side.

Melbourne, on the other hand, will come into the game riding high off a win over local rivals South East Melbourne.

The opening game of the season was not a pretty affair from an offensive standpoint, but a blitz by Matthew Dellavedova helped lay the foundations for a strong opening night win for the new-look side under Dean Vickerman.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back at it on Sunday.<br><br>? - <a href="https://t.co/jGxe52rsN4">https://t.co/jGxe52rsN4</a> <a href="https://t.co/fTwrAqx9O2">pic.twitter.com/fTwrAqx9O2</a></p>— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1707720303802237151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Adelaide
71-86 loss to Brisbane

Melbourne
82-67 win over South East Melbourne

Isaac Humphries
Adelaide centre Isaac Humphries is not only worth keeping an eye on because of his strong performance against Aron Baynes and Brisbane in his side’s opening game, but it’s because this clash represents the first time he’s facing his old side, Melbourne.

Humphries held the fort down under difficult circumstances for Melbourne last season following the injury to Ariel Hukporti, and was the side’s only natural five until the signing of now Tasmania centre Marcus Lee.

He’s in a similar position this season and Adelaide will need to make the most of having their most intimidating big on the floor to tackle the duo of Hukporti and Rob Loe.

“I got to chat with Isaac and he sent a really appreciative message about being contacted and loving his time here, and hoping someday he gets a chance to come back and play for us. All the great things about someone having a good experience with us and everything like that. It was really positive.” – Dean Vickerman via MU Media

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch out for the Isaac ??????!<br><br>? - <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> <a href="https://t.co/N0MAhRJ26M">pic.twitter.com/N0MAhRJ26M</a></p>— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1707694253282046303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Luke Travers
In what was a streaky game of individual runs and below average shooting numbers, Luke Travers’ consistency on the offensive end for Melbourne United was a shining light in their Throwdown win.

Travers took home Foot Locker Player of the Game honours in his first game for the club, and led all comers with 20 points on seven of 15 shooting. He also pulled in eight boards, grabbed a steal and a block and dished two dimes in the type of all action performance that’s become expected of the Cleveland draftee.

Tellingly, only Matthew Dellavedova was on the court for longer than Travers in Melbourne’s opening night win. He already has the trust of Dean Vickerman to get the job done in a variety of line-ups, and the early indications are this move to United has been positive for all involved.

“I like his size, I like his ability to be able to handle the ball out front. He reminds me a lot of a Dirk Nowitzki type of player. He’s not quite the shooter Dirk was, but I like his ability to be able to play out on top of the floor.” - Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Game one done, and <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> take bragging rights over the <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> ?<br><br>Luke Travers starred in his first game in new colours to earn Foot Locker Player of the Game honours ? <a href="https://t.co/AHH8HQ2pDl">pic.twitter.com/AHH8HQ2pDl</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1707358863677346300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mitch McCarron vs Matthew Dellavedova
Throughout the entire NBL24 off-season and pre-season it was looking like Mitch McCarron would be switching over to the shooting guard spot. Injuries, import departures and strategic changes meant the floor general was handed added ball-handling duties in Adelaide’s opening game.

Matthew Dellavedova, meanwhile, has entered the new season a different player than the one who left United for Sacramento after NBL22.

Gettyimages 1690544139
Mitch McCarron runs the point guard position at the NBL Blitz.

The Australian basketball legend seems to have taken more of a scoring role in United’s setup as opposed to the defence and distributor style that made him such an NBA mainstay.

Both Melbourne and Adelaide have a number of guards who can bring the ball up and run the show. Alongside McCarron, the 36ers can feel a certain level of comfort with the ball in any of Jason Cadee, Trentyn Flowers, Trey Kell III or Keanu Rasmussen’s hands.

Melbourne have the same with Shea Ili, Flynn Cameron, Zac Triplett and even Chris Goulding.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's like he never left ?<br><br>Matthew Dellavedova had 12 points in his first quarter back in <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> colours ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo ? <a href="https://t.co/YnH0aAcNOz">pic.twitter.com/YnH0aAcNOz</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1707337774121308251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This may not be the traditional point guard battle it would have been two seasons ago, but two of Australia’s most talented passers facing off should make for essential viewing.

Adelaide recorded the most wins when trailing at three-quarter time in NBL23 with six.

CJ Bruton’s side underperformed in pre-season expectations, but they showed a consistent resolve to fight back into games when the result looked done and dusted. That’s the type of lightening in a bottle you can’t catch, but it’s become a feature of Bruton’s coaching.

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Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton.