United's Game 5 memories - calling on NBL18

Melbourne United and the Tasmania JackJumpers are set to contest a decisive Game 5 of their Championship Series on Sunday afternoon, and while history only means so much - the home team can look back on their NBL18 triumph over Adelaide for experience and motivation.

Melbourne and Adelaide were locked in a Grand Final Series for the ages six years ago, and much like its NBL24 counterpart, NBL18’s final matchup was filled with twists, turns and intrigue.

Home court had been defended in each of the opening four games of the series. Melbourne won the opening game by 11 points, before Adelaide hit back with a 15-point win. Game 3 saw United triumph by three-points, before the 36ers kept the series alive with a dramatic nine-point win in Game 4.

Melbourne and Adelaide were the clear two best teams all campaign. United had ended the regular season with a ladder-leading 20-8 record, while the 36ers finished second at 18-10, two wins clear of the third-placed Wildcats.

Chris Goulding is the only Melbourne player who remains on the roster from that season, however David Barlow has since moved onto Dean Vickerman’s coaching staff.

Incredibly, current JackJumpers Anthony Drmic and Majok Deng suited up for the 36ers.

Majok Majok – who played just over one minute in the final game for United – suited up for Tasmania as a replacement player earlier this season.

While Adelaide hit the front early in proceedings, a 34-point first quarter saw Melbourne pull away from the visitors, and while the 36ers managed to hit back in the third quarter to trim the margin, United once again pulled away in the fourth to register a comfortable 18-point win.

Goulding scored 23 points in the decider, as did import guard Casper Ware, and the local legend was named the Larry Sengstock Medal winner for his impressive performances over the series.

Adelaide struggled to maintain their consistent, high-level three-point shooting that had been established as a serious weapon over the series, and hit a combined four of 23 three-point attempts for the game.

While only Goulding remains on the playing roster from that side, his experiences in playing in a Championship Series decider could prove to be a crucial point of difference in Sunday’s clash with the JackJumpers.

Although both Melbourne and Tasmania have each registered a win away from home in this series, that defence of home court proved to be the deciding factor in 2018. Will history repeat itself in 2024?

The fifth and final game of the NBL24 Championship Series will tip off at 4pm AEDT on Sunday evening, live on ESPN via Kayo. Coverage begins with the Coca-Cola Pre-Game Show from 3.30pm AEDT.