AUS - Draper heroics turn the tide

MELBOURNE (NBL) - Don't let anyone ever tell you that basketball is not the most exciting sport on the planet. After game 3 of the Hummer NBL Grand Final series, I wrote that it probably couldn't get much better, but in game four it just might have.

Played in front of a deafening sell-out crowd at the Cage in Melbourne, the first half was truly like a heavyweight boxing match-up. Momentum swung from one side to the other, with big plays at both ends of the court dotting the game's landscape.

But because of the strength of both the Sydney Kings and Melbourne Tigers, neither team could land a knockout blow, and the score remained tight. Only some inspiration at the end of the half from Canadian Dave Thomas allowed the Tigers to sneak away and claim a 48-42 lead at the main break.

It was former Unics Kazan centre Chris Anstey who was the star for the Tigers, claiming 13 points and 5 rebounds in the first two periods. Most significantly was that the Tigers big man had only shot one triple, and had controlled the paint, shackling Kings seven footer Ian Crosswhite with 4 fouls well before half time.

From the third quarter the game took on a different complexion, as the Tigers attacked in transition, and shot their open looks with confidence. FIBA World Championship representative Dave Barlow, Sean Lampley and Thomas all took turns at extending the Tigers lead, but it was Anstey that sank the big shots to give the Tigers an 18 point lead with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Anstey hit 13 points for the quarter, including two monstrous threes that saw the crowd almost lift the roof of the Cage. At that point the game, and effectively the grand final series, was over.

But then the real man of the match put his hand up. Straddled with a crippling hamstring injury, Kings import guard Dontaye Draper had been forced to watch the first three quarters as the Tigers over ran his teammates. But just before the last break he could watch no more and pleaded with coach Brian Goorjian to put him in the game.

Goorj heeded his words and there the game swung. Mark Worthington hit a buzzer beater to end the third period and reduce the margin to 13. Back up centre Russell Hinder then nailed two big triples and the margin was 10. The Tigers steadied through Anstey and Barlow but the Kings other import, Isiah Victor, came to the party and his triple put the gap into single figures, and the home crowd grew decidedly nervous.

The 181cm Draper's speed was opening up shots for his teammates, but with four minutes remaining, he decided it was time to do it himself. The life long friend of USA star Carmello Anthony proceeded to score 8 points in less than two minutes, including a clutch three - after a brilliant pump fake - which drew the scores level at 85 apiece.

Lampley then nailed a tough floater to restore the Tigers lead, but Victor responded with a courageous three in transition to give the Kings the lead for the first time since the second quarter.

As has been the case all series though, the story was far from over, and Lampley drew a soft foul on Victor and proceeded to the foul line. The man who talks the talk as well as anyone, and nailed the game winner in game three, then blew his chance to be a hero two games running by missing both free throws.

The Tigers then scrambled the rebound and found Barlow for the open three. He missed. Darryl Macdonald grabbed another offensive rebound, Melbourne's 20th for the night, and found Anstey, who by this stage had 33 points. But he missed.

The Kings finally secured the ball, and with their shot clock down to six looked all at sea. But a Dave Thomas reflex was called a foot violation, the shot clock reset with just 15 on the game clock, and the Tigers were forced to foul.

After Luke Kendall (13 points, 0 turnovers) nailed two unconvincing free throws the Tigers had one more chance, but a deep Anstey three that would have forced overtime was way long, and Sydney had completed the greatest comeback in NBL Grand Final history. The previous best comeback from a three quarter time deficit was just six.

Draper's 8 points, 4 assists and 2 steals in 13 minutes was the game winning performance, but he received great help from Victor (23 points, 9 rebounds), Mark Worthington (16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and super tough Olympian Jason Smith (14 points, 5 rebounds), who set aside his serious shoulder injury to score 12 first half points and keep the Kings in touch.

Anstey (33 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals) was absolutely remarkable, even breathtaking in the first three quarters, but he again struggled in the final term, converting just two field goals. He must wonder how much better he has to play to carry his team to victory though. Only Barlow (12 points), Thomas (12 points) and Lampley (11 points) also reached double figures for Melbourne, who face a tough ask in getting back up for Friday's deciding game in Sydney.

The key to victory is the same as it has been the whole series however. Melbourne dominates when it crashes the boards at both ends, explores in transition and moves the ball with confidence. For Sydney, their full court pressure is a must to wear the Tigers down, as is shooting every open shot with confidence.

Can Anstey carry the Tigers again? Will Draper be fit? Will Sean Lampley bounce back from those two disastrous free throws and be the game winner he was in game 3? Can Melbourne find a way to score in the final period? Will playground legend Darryl Macdonald retire with a championship? Father time will tell all.

At the start of the series I said Kings 3-2, and I am not going to change now. Sydney's greater confidence to attack the basket and shoot the big shot down the stretch should be the difference.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Correspondent in Australia