AUS - Tiger level with third quarter perfection

MELBOURNE (NBL) - In game one of the NBL’s grand final series, the Melbourne Tigers scored 39 points in the second quarter, but it was not enough to claim victory. Last night, in game two, the Tigers scored 39 points in the third quarter, and it was too much for the Brisbane Bullets to handle.

It was a most remarkable game of basketball, and the noise of the rabid Melbourne crowd was deafening throughout the entire game. Despite the intense atmosphere, Brisbane dominated the first half, picking up where they left off in game one.

CJ Bruton (15 points, 5 assists) was far too quick for any Tiger defender, former Real Madrid centre Mark Bradtke (14 points, 10 rebounds) negated Melbourne’s size advantage, and Nigeria’s third leading scorer at the FIBA World Championships, Ebi Ere (16 points, 6 rebounds), was threatening to blow the game open.

The Bullets led 49-40 at half time, but could well have been far further in front. The Tigers struggled to clear half court on most possessions, giving up 14 points on turnovers, while Brisbane created open shots almost every time down the floor.

What a difference half-time can make, however, and Melbourne amazingly scored the first 16 points of the third quarter. In stark contrast to the first half, the Tigers passed crisply through the Bullets press, enabling them to score in transition and feed the post early in the offence. Brisbane did not score one point from a Tigers turnover in the second half.

What followed was fourteen Tigers lay ups in the third quarter, to just two for Brisbane. The Tigers locked down the Bullets offence, repeatedly stealing the ball when Brisbane penetrated. The resulting transition was as efficient as it was lethal, and the sell-out crowd was as loud as any this writer has experienced watching basketball in six different countries over two decades.

When Brisbane finally managed to slow the Tigers, former ULEB Cup MVP Chris Anstey (31 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks) stepped up in the half court and nailed two massive three pointers. Anstey’s Unics Kazan teammates labeled him ‘Batman’, because he would always answer the call in big games and guide his team home. After a poor showing in the fourth quarter of game one, Anstey came ready to play on his home court.

The 213cm Melbournian dominated in the low block when the Bullets went small, and punished Brisbane from outside when Mark Bradtke was in the game. The Tigers went to Anstey down low more often than in the series opener, and his ability to look over double teams and find the open man was crucial.

The defining moment of Anstey’s night came in the final quarter. Brisbane, to their credit, fought back hard in the opening minutes of the fourth, after trailing 79-65 at three quarter time. Bruton, Sam Mackinnon (19 points, 62% shooting) and Stephen Black (16 points) all lifted, hustling in the open court to bring the Bullets within single figures.

The Tigers then isolated Anstey against Mackinnon, the NBL’s Best Defensive Player, and the seven foot athlete nailed an indescribable step back three to provide breathing space for Melbourne. Brisbane came again and closed to five, 87-82, and when Rashard Tucker (12 points, 8 rebounds) missed two free throws for Melbourne it seemed the Bullets were poised to pounce. But the long arms of Anstey somehow reached around the 129kg Bradtke and tipped Tucker’s miss in to extend the lead back to seven.

From there it was party time for the Tigers and their fans, as Darryl Corletto (18 points), Dave Thomas (12 points, 7 boards) and Darryl Macdonald (10 points) secured the victory, 105-91.

While the emotion of the win was quite incredible for Melbourne, in reality they have merely squared the series, and must still win a game in Brisbane if they are to secure back-to-back titles. Crucial for the Tigers was their 55-35 rebounding advantage, as they held the bullish Mackinnon to just four boards. Melbourne’s bench also edged Brisbane’s reserves 34-25, as Al Westover rotated his players more frequently to avoid a repeat of the Tigers game one fade out.

The coach that uses their outstanding depth most wisely across the five games will likely win the championship series, as both teams like to press and run the ball, and the team whose stars are the freshest to make plays down the stretch will have a distinct advantage.

This series is already the classic that was anticipated. Brisbane still hold the home court advantage, but a slip up in game three on Wednesday will give the Tigers the chance to wrap up the title in front of their home crowd on Friday. My tip? Another classic, great players from the FIBA World Championships making great plays, and a heart stopping Bullets win.

Melbourne Tigers 105 (Anstey 31, Corletto 18, Tucker 12)
Brisbane Bullets 91 (Mackinnon 19, Black 16, Ere 16)
Crowd: 3500 (sell-out) @State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Official Correspondent in Australia.