MELBOURNE UNITED:  85 (Prather 30, Goulding 13, Boone 12)
BRISBANE BULLET: 87 (Holt 17, Bruce 13, Buford 13, Trice 13)
What a strange game this one was. Brisbane should have finished Melbourne off on a number of occasions but Melbourne kept clawing back. At one point in the 3rd quarter, Melbourne trailed by 17. The game finished with a long range 3 attempt coming off the rim from Goulding at the final buzzer. It’s early to jump to conclusions but the start of the season has shades of last season. Good team, high expectations and just not clicking at the right times. In the last 3 games, both Ware and Goulding have struggled to make an impact where it counts, on the scoreboard. Prather was excellent again and carried Melbourne back on multiple occasions in this one. Josh Boone’s stops and rebounds were also instrumental in keeping Melbourne alive. In the end, though it was Brisbane who walked away with the W and Melbourne who have to evaluate once again where it is all going wrong.

Here are some key takeaways from an unashamed Melbourne United fan.

Game highlights and full game review, go here.

For the full box score, go here.

WARE IS CHRIS GOULDING

But Chris Goulding was out second best scorer? He did however play 28 minutes and shot all up 10 times. He provided 1 assist and 1 rebound. Also he provided about 6 on air shots of his head in his hands after losing out during a play. As a guard this is not going to be enough for Melbourne to make an impact in games.

However, the key thing I noticed is Casper Ware is playing differently. He is driving in and by doing this into a large outstretched hand as the other team switches. He is getting no space during these past three games, when during the openers at Adelaide he was getting a lot more. The balance seems to be struggling since the Goulding’s return and we can only hope thats the only reason. If this is how he is being told to play though he is not playing to his strengths. Ware’s strength is as a provider, although most people will always remember is long range 3 pointers. He can only do this with space. When he goes inside towards the basket he has no space and gets shut down. Unfortunately, during this game he was inside a little too often and unable to make an impact.

Hopefully, this is all teething issues and with the two home games next week we can get back on track.

CASEY PRATHER IS ‘AS ADVERTISED’

He has a will to score and if no one else is going to do it, he will. This attitude dragged Melbourne back into it on multiple occasions. No one else hitting 3’s, he will, no else getting rebounds, he will, no else driving to the hoop, he will. Melbourne desperately needed this last season and if the guards can join him next week we will still b in good shape.

WHAT DOES ADNAM HAVE TO DO TO STAY ON THE COURT

I am not sure at this point. Goulding and Ware were not performing. Adnam played 13 minutes with 10 points. Now, this is not a statement that Adnam should start, but when the game is going wrong and he is in form with his shot, possibly Ware and Goulding should lose minutes for the game. He has remained consistent with these last 3 games and this is exactly what he is there for, to fill in when your starters are not hitting. The blind trust in the starters can cost teams and every other team in the league have been willing to adjust at some point this season in a game…. except Melbourne.

Last week, when Goulding was coming back in, Adnam deserved more minutes than him and in this game swapping Ware for Adnam and backing your squad could have made all the difference. It’s a professional league and if these are guys are only staying on in the game because of some agreement then that is concerning. Melbourne seems unwilling to adjust and change the game plan to suit the game on the fly and could see more losses like this one.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Round 5

v Cairns Taipans on Thursday 2 November at 7:30pm AEDT. Watch it on Fox Sports channel 503.

v Adelaide 36ers on Saturday 4 November at 5:30pm AEDT. Watch it on Fox Sports channel 503 or SBS.

Hosting Cairns on Thursday is a chance to make amends for the Brisbane and New Zealand games. Looking at Cairns, Melbourne matches up pretty well. Without Jawai, Cairns has looked weak inside at times. However now Michael Carrera has started playing. He has looked good, very athletic and a competent player as the 3 and the 4. It is at the 4 he could damage Melbourne the most as we don’t match up athletically well with him. He is not afraid to shoot, but he isn’t consistent either. He will be a fan favourite in Cairns but if Melbourne can keep him outside they shouldn’t be too worried about his shot. It will be interesting to see how Goulding and Ware respond after this last game.

Then Melbourne hosts Adelaide on Saturday. Adelaide will want revenge after the two home losses and are looking in great form. Also, they have more reinforcements than last time with Childress arriving. This could prove to be a difference maker and will be interesting to see if Childress spends more time at the 3 or the 4. Prather on Childress could be interesting in this one. The mental edge could be with Melbourne but this game sees two teams line up a lot differently than the first two games. Expect fireworks in this one and potentially the most exciting game so far.

See you on Thursday.