Basketball On The Internet.

ROUND 10 of NBL 2023-24 concluded yesterday with a "day out" for two outstanding Australian stars, first Chris Goulding in unstoppable fashion setting up Melbourne's rout of Brisbane, then Mitch Creek leading a depleted South East Melbourne into Sydney and dethroning the Kings. 

Both of these MVP candidates were at their best, Goulding blowing the Bullets off the floor in a startling 36-16 second quarter - the best second period return by anyone this season - while Creek compiled 33 points to send Sydney into meltdown.

At John Cain Arena, United championship-winner Sam McDaniel started in super fashion for Brisbane, scoring eight points in the first quarter, including a stunning dunk as the Bullets ran up a 19-14 lead.

It made sense, Bullets coach Justin Schueller and lead assistant Darryl "D-Mac" McDonald both formerly assistants to Dean Vickerman at United and so well aware of his system and methodology.

But by late in the second quarter and with Goulding absolutely alight, swishing 6-of-8 threes - five in the second quarter alone - Brisbane was flushed by the interval, trailing 37-54.

This was already over, Goulding now a decoy for returnee Ian Clark to drop 14 points, Luke Travers 16, while Jo Lual-Acuil and Ariel Hukporti controlled the paint.

Melbourne's 26-9 final quarter pounded Brisbane into the floorboards and left many wondering how Schueller could not find more time for burgeoning tyro Rocco Zikarsky, whose 4:14 of action was too much of an afterthought instead of some much-needed fore-thought. 

MELBOURNE UNITED 103 (Goulding 21, Travers 16, Dellavedova, Clark 14, Lual-Acuil 10; Hukporti 8 rebs; Dellavedova 5 assts) d BRISBANE BULLETS 68 (McDaniel, Sobey 12, Harrison 10; Mitchell 9 rebs; Scott 3 assts) at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 9,635

HAVING sacked import Will Cummings on top of hearing the dreaded news Craig Moller's injury would be season-ending, South East Melbourne flew into Sydney additionally down key benchman Reuben Te Rangi, his partner having their first baby.

If ever the Phoenix were ripe for the plucking,this was it. Instead the Phoenix flummoxed the Kings from the get-go surprising what often appeared to be their complacent hosts with the degree of pluck and vigour shown by Mike Kelly's lesser lights.

Kids such as Kody Stattmann and Owen Foxwell relished their opportunities and Ben Ayre thrived as a starter, his 13 points including 3-of-7 triples.

Creek's 33-point haul also included 3-of-7 threeballs, only Rhys Vague with 4-of-6 nailing more.

After South East led 32-30 at the first break, then 58-49 at halftime, it was evident Sydney was in a game and not a foregone conclusion.

DJ Hogg looked out of it for most of the contest and Denzel Valentine was a frustrated man when subbed out while firing.

Further, Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah persisted for long periods playing a zone defence which South East clearly revelled in as a Godsend.

It immensely helped Phoneix centre Alan Williams who had 18 points at halftime before falling into customary foul troubles. But he contributed 21 and 15, Sydney's zone helping to keep him from fouling out.

South East consistently had its lead in double-digits, the Kings occasionally threatening but Creek and Co constantly able to weather their best rallies.

Four minutes from the result, Creek sank a 3-pointer for a 97-79 buffer and Sydney was deep in the Harbour wearing cement shoes.

Matt Kenyon was another Phoenix phantom who stepped from the shadows with several hustle plays that inspired South East to arguably its most significant win of the season.    

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 104 (Creek 33, Williams 21, Ayre 13, Vague 12, Kenyon 10; Williams 15 rebs; Browne 9 assts) d SYDNEY KINGS 94 (Adams 19, Valentine 18, Bolden 15, Galloway 12; Bolden 15 rebs; Bruce, Galloway, Valentine 3 assts) at Qudos Bank Arena. Crowd: 13,197