Melbourne United secured a 105-95 victory over the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena on Sunday, propelled by a standout performance from their import guard Cole Anthony. The win allowed Melbourne to remain in contention for a top-six spot in the NBL, joining a cluster of four teams holding 4-5 records.
Anthony led Melbourne with 30 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and two blocks, notably controlling the game's tempo without committing a turnover. His effective defense and offensive execution outmatched Sydney’s star guard Kendric Davis, who was held to a season-low 12 points on 3-of-16 shooting while registering five turnovers. Davis faced tight coverage by Shea Ili throughout the match, limiting his impact on the game.
Josh Oduro also provided strong support for United, adding 27 points and five rebounds. The hosts shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, making an impressive start by converting their first six attempts from three-point range. Melbourne’s defensive pressure contributed to Sydney’s 16 turnovers, nearly tripling the visitors’ six giveaways.
The contest was tightly contested in the first half, with 12 lead changes and six ties during an intense back-and-forth exchange that lasted into the second quarter. Despite Sydney’s rebound dominance, leading 21-12 at one point, costly turnovers undermined their efforts. Melbourne capitalized with a decisive 30-12 run in the third quarter that opened up a 75-59 lead, a margin the Kings could not overturn. Sydney narrowed the gap at times late in the game but failed to get closer than nine points.
United managed to handle the loss of tall forward Sam Waardenburg, who fouled out with just under three minutes left in the third quarter. Luke Travers delivered a memorable moment with a powerful two-handed dunk over Andrew Carr, extending Melbourne’s lead to 83-70.
On the Kings’ side, Torrey Craig led the scoring with 22 points and collected 13 rebounds. Andrew Carr contributed 18 points and 11 boards, while Xavier Cooks added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sydney entered the match as the league’s best defensive team but were unable to contain Melbourne’s offense on this occasion.
Anthony’s performance was capped off in the closing minutes by a highlight play: a baseline jump shot made while being pushed out of bounds, which extended United’s lead to 94-82. This came shortly after Anthony had blocked a shot by Davis on the other end, underscoring his influence on both ends of the floor.
The outcome saw Perth replace Sydney in the NBL’s top two positions, as the Kings missed the opportunity to claim first place from Tasmania for the time being. Meanwhile, Melbourne United’s victory kept their playoff hopes alive amid a tightly packed field.