United demolish Breakers in Melbourne
Share
Melbourne United backed up a first up road win by hammering the New Zealand Breakers by 32 points at home on Sunday.
Melbourne United have kick-started their revenge mission by trouncing a passive New Zealand Breakers in a one-sided contest to complete the opening round of NBL26.
Dean Vickerman's men took the heat out of Sunday afternoon's contest in the first 10 minutes, jumping to a 34-12 lead before cruising to a 114-82 win at John Cain Arena.
United are thirsty for a championship after losing in five-game Championship Series in the last two years firstly to the Tasmania JackJumpers and then the Illawarra Hawks.
And life without Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White began smoothly for United backing up Thursday night's road win over Tasmania moving the ball beautifully and attacking the lacklustre Breakers defence from all angles.
Melbourne were without inspirational leader Chris Goulding again with a quad injury but imposing Dutch centre Jesse Edwards had 22 points, six rebounds and two blocks in just 21 minutes on 9/10 shooting to win Player of the Game honours.
Next Star teenager Dash Daniels, brother of NBA star Dyson and the youngest Boomer since Ben Simmons, had 14 points, five rebounds and two steals in his NBL debut.
Tanner Krebs (16 points) scored with ease off the bench while Milton Doyle had four three-pointers in his 15 points in his first home game with Melbourne.
Breakers import big Rob Baker II (17 points) was effective but played only 17 minutes while fellow import Izaiah Brockington (21 points, six rebounds) kept attacking.
Mexican Next Star prospect Karim Lopez (14 points, six rebounds) was also a bright spot for the visitors as he works his way back from an injury in his second season at the Breakers.
The Breakers had conceded 104 points at home in a Friday loss to the Brisbane Bullets and again looked off the pace on Sunday.
Compounding problems was star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright's struggles as he attempted to play through apparent rib soreness while they were missing important big man Sam Mennenga with concussion.
Jackson-Cartwright scored just five points, adding four assists and three turnovers, in 14 minutes.
United walked their way to the bucket from the outset, while Doyle fired from long-range and Daniels showed his bounce around the rim.
When former Collingwood AFL player Tom Wilson injected himself with five quick points after his MVP NBL1 South season, the margin was 22 and the contest was dead with time still left in the first quarter.
Melbourne will be back in action at John Cain Arena on Thursday in a tantalising early season Throwdown against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Breakers will be back at home against the Perth Wildcats at Spark Arena on Saturday.
HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26
MELBOURNE UNITED 114 (Edwards 22, Krebs 16, Doyle 15)
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 82 (Brockington 21, Baker II 17, Lopez 14)
