The Brisbane Bullets’ playoff hopes suffered a devastating setback in their Bullets vs United clash on Australia Day, collapsing under Melbourne’s relentless onslaught in a 115-88 defeat at a sold-out Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Already reeling from a crippling injury crisis, the Bullets lost import Keandre Cook to chest pains—hospitalised mid-game—and forward Josh Bannan to a pre-game concussion, compounding a nightmare season that now hinges on a series of improbable outcomes.
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United’s Second-Quarter Surge Seals Fate
Melbourne (17-10) flexed their title credentials with a merciless 35-14 second-quarter blitz, turning a competitive first term into a rout. Matthew Dellavedova (14 points, six assists) orchestrated the carnage, while Ian Clark (24 points) rediscovered his scoring touch and Chris Goulding (16 points) electrified the crowd with a rare dunk-and-flex combo.
For Brisbane, late-season signing Josh Adams (23 points, seven rebounds) delivered his best performance in Bullets colours, and Tohi Smith-Milner (16 points, eight rebounds) battled tirelessly, but the absence of seven rotation players proved insurmountable.
Tied 26-26 after a scrappy opening quarter, the Bullets’ thin rotation unravelled under Melbourne’s precision led by Dellavedova. The former NBA guard’s aggressive drives ignited a 16-2 run in the second quarter, and a Jack White alley-oop off Dellavedova’s assist in the fourth quarter—epitomising United’s dominance—punctuated a 30-point lead.
Playoff Pulse: A Mirage of Hope
At 11-16, the Bullets remain mathematically alive for sixth place, but their path demands near-perfect alignment. To clinch a play-in berth, Brisbane must win their final two road games against the Adelaide 36ers (12-13, sixth) and last-placed Cairns Taipans while relying on the 36ers to lose all three remaining matches—including clashes with South East Melbourne and Perth—and Tasmania (12-13, seventh) to drop two of three games against title contenders Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne.
Even then, they must dominate their final outings to overtake Adelaide and Tasmania on points percentage (points scored divided by points conceded), the NBL’s tiebreaker.
Amid the bleak outlook, coach Justin Schueller’s resolve echoed the team’s fighting spirit. “We haven’t allowed an excuse all year,” he said, referencing a cursed season marked by “black cats, ladders, and broken windows” at their facility. “We’ve got two games now we have to win.”
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The Bullets’ campaign—a story of grit overshadowed by misfortune—now rests on a Friday night showdown in Adelaide. For a team stripped to its bones, victory alone may not suffice—but it’s a start. In a league where top seeds Illawarra and Melbourne still jostle for position, Brisbane’s faint heartbeat persists. As their fans know all too well: miracles can happen—but time is running out.
Published 26-January-2025
Match preview published 25-January-2025
Bullets vs United: Brisbane’s Postseason Hinge on Australia Day Showdown

The Brisbane Bullets revived their NBL playoff hopes with a gritty 93-87 road win over the New Zealand Breakers on Friday—and now face a season-defining test against Melbourne United on Australia Day, 26 January. Bullets vs United tip off 1:30 p.m. at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
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Bullets Rally in Christchurch
Brisbane’s resilience shone in New Zealand, where they overcame a 12-2 deficit early and held firm amid a late Breakers surge. Sharpshooters Casey Prather (24 points, 8 rebounds, 5/11 3PT) and Keandre Cook (26 points, 6 assists, 5/12 3PT) combined for 10 three-pointers, while Josh Bannan (17 points, 7 rebounds) delivered clutch baskets down the stretch.
After trailing early, the Bullets exploded with a 19-7 first-quarter run, fuelled by Prather and Cook’s hot hands. They led the rest of the way, weathering a late Breakers charge that cut the deficit to two with 1:30 remaining. A poised floater from Tohi Smith-Milner (10 points, 7 rebounds) with 18 seconds left iced the game, capping a gutsy team effort.
Brisbane sank 14/37 (37%) from deep, outscoring New Zealand 42-18 beyond the arc, and stifled Breakers star Parker Jackson-Cartwright to 19 points on 6/16 shooting. Despite missing Tyrell Harrison, Rocco Zikarsky, and Emmett Naar, replacement big Callum Dalton contributed crucial minutes.
“I also felt we got our swagger and vibe back,” said coach Justin Schueller. “What’s exciting to me is … the understanding of what we need to go and get done.”
Bullets vs United
With momentum secured in New Zealand, the Bullets now face a stiffer test: a sold-out Australia Day clash against second-place Melbourne United (16-10). A loss almost surely ends their season. A win keeps hope alive.
Brisbane stunned Melbourne 89-83 earlier this month to snap a 12-game losing streak in the rivalry. To topple United again, they must stifle Melbourne’s league-leading three-point efficiency, neutralise All-NBL guard Chris Goulding, and harness energy from a home crowd amplified by Australia Day festivities.
United arrive in Brisbane after a gruelling seven-game road stretch, including a 48-hour turnaround from Perth. “We want to make sure we put on a deserving show to get that opportunity to keep our season alive,” said Schueller.
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The Bullets have defied odds all season—from injury chaos to late-game collapses—but Sunday demands their best. For a team built on resilience, Australia Day could be their defining moment.