Clark's 24 leads United's 27-point Bullets monstering

• United's Ian Clark pours in 24 points including five threes
• Melbourne shores up second place on the NBL25 ladder
• Injury-ravaged Brisbane Bullets season all but done

In a stunning display of offensive firepower, Melbourne United closed out their seven-game road trip with a dominant 115-88 (Game Centre) victory against the injury-plagued Brisbane Bullets on Sunday, January 26, 2025 in round 18 of NBL25.

The 27-point drubbing at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre solidified United's hold on second place in the NBL standings and showcased their championship aspirations after an up-and-down season.

Melbourne seized control in the second quarter, blowing the game open with a blistering 35-14 run.

The Bullets, already missing several key players, simply had no answer for United's balanced attack and relentless defensive pressure.

By halftime, Melbourne had built a commanding 61-40 lead and never looked back.

The victory capped off a successful road swing for United, who won five of seven games away from home. Coming off a confidence-boosting win in Perth on Wednesday, Melbourne carried that momentum into Brisbane, dominating in nearly every facet of the game.

They capitalised on 15 Bullets turnovers for 18 points and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds leading to 19 second-chance points.

United's shooting was particularly impressive, as they connected on 53% of their field goal attempts.

Ian Clark led the way with 24 points, including five three-pointers, while Chris Goulding added 16 points on 4-from-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

Jack White continued his strong form with 17 points and six rebounds.

For the Bullets, the loss was another reminder of their injury woes this season. Already missing Tyrell Harrison, Rocco Zikarsky, and Emmett Naar, Brisbane also lost Josh Bannan to a concussion before the game.

The depleted roster struggled to keep pace with Melbourne's firepower, despite a gutsy 23-point, seven-rebound effort from Josh Adams.

Matthew Dellavedova finished with 14 points and six assists for United.

The win improves Melbourne's record to 17-10, keeping them firmly in second place as they chase the league-leading Illawarra Hawks.

United will return home for their final two regular-season games, facing the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday before a crucial "Throwdown" matchup against cross-town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix the following week.

For Brisbane, now sitting at 11-16, the final two games of the season will be a test of character. The Bullets face road games against Adelaide and Cairns to close out what has been a frustrating, injury-riddled campaign.

As the NBL regular season winds down, Melbourne United has made a statement with this emphatic road victory. With their offense clicking and defensive intensity peaking at the right time, they look poised for a deep playoff run in their quest for another championship.