Snakes imports shine but United prevail

The new Cairns Taipans import trio of Pedro Bradshaw, Tanner Groves and Rob Edwards combined for 54 points and 18 rebounds but the Melbourne United veterans delivered them the 94-87 win on the opening night of the NBL Blitz.

There was a lot to like from the first look at the new Snakes imports with Edwards leading the charge with 24 points, but ultimately the guns from Melbourne delivered last year's runners-up a first up win on the Gold Coast.

Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Ian Clark, Jack White, Rob Loe and Shea Ili all helped Melbourne to the eventual seven-point victory after an entertaining contest to start the Blitz.

Melbourne had already had a couple of pre-season hit outs against the Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix before heading to the Gold Coast with a full roster available to take on the Snakes.

It was a first game against NBL opposition this pre-season for the Taipans who did have everyone available aside from Kyle Adnam and Olympian Jackson Makoi.

It would prove an entertaining first half from both teams as they weren’t afraid to be aggressive and push the pace even on the first night on the Gold Coast.

Going into the half-time break and scores were level at 49-49 but with Ili and White combining for a couple of nice alley-oop finishes, and then the Cairns import trio of Edwards, Groves and Bradshaw combining for 33 points, there was plenty to like.

Even with Melbourne opening up a lead as big as 13 points in the third quarter, the Taipans kept on coming and scores were level with four minutes to play.

United dominated from there with seven straight points including Clark picking the pocket of Sam Waardenburg in the back court for the dagger late three ball.

Ian Clark top-scored for United with 16 points and four assists while Chris Goulding had 15 points despite 2/12 three-point shooting.

Jack White had some strong finishes at the rim for 14 points and seven rebounds with Matthew Dellavedova contributing 13 points and four assists, Rob Loe 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Shea Ili 10 points and five assists.

Rob Edwards put up 24 points on 8/17 shooting for the Taipans with Tanner Groves adding 15 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, and Pedro Bradshaw 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Point guard Taran Armstrong delivered 13 points and two assists in 21 minutes with the Taipans ending up with 26/35 at the foul line for the game.

United are next in action on Tuesday against the Brisbane Bullets while the Snakes take on the Sydney Kings on Monday evening.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ

MELBOURNE UNITED 94 (Clark 16, Goulding 15, White 14)
CAIRNS TAIPANS 87 (Edwards 24, Groves 15, Bradshaw 15)

BOX SCORE