Casper Ware Jr. powered Melbourne United to a second straight NBL Finals appearance with a convincing 90-76 win over the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena today.
The 5’10” guard dominated the game from the start, racking up 17 points in the first half. Ware created havoc with an array of jumpers, three point buckets and slashing layups that kept Sydney guessing. Kevin Lisch, Jerome Randle and Kyle Adnam took turns to guard Ware but to no avail. Despite the torrid scoring, Melbourne only took a 2-point lead, 42-40, by halftime.
Chris Goulding kept the pace going as he started to heat up as he helped steer United to a nine-point buffer by the end of the third. Chris Goulding, Mitch Mccarron and Goudling continued to run and hit open baskets.
By the start of the fourth quarter, the writing was on the wall. The Kings could not buy a bucket as Melbourne amped up the defensive intensity. DJ Kennedy stole the ball from Jerome Randle for an easy deuce. Sydney could not get a stop as Melbourne’s lead ballooned to 16. Midway through the fourth, it was all over.
Despite a record-breaking crowd of 14,569 Sydney fans in the building, the Kings failed to deliver a win when it mattered most.
Ware led all scorers with 30 points while Goulding added 23 points. Kings rookie point guard Kyle Adnam and captain Lisch topscored for Sydney with 13 points apiece while import Ray Turner added 12.
It’s the end of the road for Sydney Kings, who exceeded expectations this season after a 7th place finish last year. Reaching the semi-finals was a big deal but the Kings fell short. It’s also good bye to Kings head coach Andrew Gaze, who will be leaving the Kings immediately after this series.
Melbourne will get a chance to defend their title against the Perth Wildcats, who beat the Brisbane Bullets overnight.