S.E Melbourne 99 - 104 Melbourne

Melbourne United overcame a 13-point first-quarter deficit to defeat South East Melbourne Phoenix 104-99 in the Melbourne derby. After trailing 30-17 following the opening period, United steadily increased their offensive output with 28, 29, and 30 points across the final three quarters. Melbourne's efficiency inside the arc and sustained pressure drawing fouls proved decisive, allowing them to take control of the fourth quarter and hold off late perimeter pushes from the Phoenix down the stretch.

Luke Travers led United with an efficient 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, well above his 11.4 points-per-game season average entering the matchup. Josh Oduro provided substantial two-way interior production, finishing with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds while anchoring the defense with four steals and four blocks. Cole Anthony added 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, including two game-sealing free throws with 10 seconds remaining. For South East Melbourne, Nathan Sobey scored a team-high 24 points with five three-pointers but shot just 7-of-20 from the field and committed six turnovers, while D'Shawn Schwartz added 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting.

Interior scoring and free-throw generation separated the two sides. Melbourne shot 52.2% from the floor (35-of-67) and recorded an effective field goal percentage of 58.2%, compared to South East Melbourne's 42.0% shooting (34-of-81) and 49.4% eFG. The Phoenix attempted 39 three-pointers to United's 24, but Melbourne compensated by generating a heavy free-throw disparity, converting 26 of 35 attempts (52.2% free-throw rate) compared to 19 of 22 for the Phoenix (27.2% free-throw rate). Both teams finished level on rebounds with 42 apiece, but United's eight blocks to Phoenix's one underscored Melbourne's interior advantage.

Key Stats

• Luke Travers (Melbourne): 24 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK | 9-11 FG (81.8%), 2-3 3PT, 4-7 FT | 85.2% TS
• Josh Oduro (Melbourne): 21 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL, 4 BLK | 6-11 FG (54.5%), 9-13 FT | 30 EFF
• Nathan Sobey (S.E Melbourne): 24 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST | 7-20 FG (35.0%), 5-12 3PT, 5-6 FT | 6 TO
• Free-throw disparity: Melbourne shot 26-of-35 (74.3%) from the line compared to South East Melbourne's 19-of-22 (86.4%)
• Interior and efficiency edge: Melbourne shot 52.2% FG with 8 blocks vs. South East Melbourne's 42.0% FG and 1 block