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CHRIS Goulding and Jo Lual-Acuil loaded an undermanned Melbourne onto their shoulders to today produce United's gutsiest win of the NBL season in Throwdown 22 against crosstown derby rival South East Melbourne, reinforcing the tenet never doubt the heart of a champion.

And at home in Sydney, the Kings did much the same, trailing surging Brisbane 89-95 before concluding the contest on a 15-0 run for which the Bullets had no reply.

The Phoenix were playing in front of the club's biggest-ever home crowd of 10,175 and with new replacement big Daniel Johnson suiting, started red hot favourites.

United was missing Luke Travers (concussion), Ian Clark (hamstring) and Matthew Dellavedova (calf), with Ariel Hukporti (knee) a long way off 100 per cent and managing only 9:17 of action.

If ever the opportunity was there for a South East rout, this was it. But Melbourne simply had other ideas, players such as Flynn Cameron (14 points at 63 per cent, 4-of-6 threes), Campbell Blogg and Shea Ili stepping up, Tanner Krebs and Kyle Bowen just doing work.

Ili was truly to the "fore", with his 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers and 4 fouls. OK. He also had 4-of-6 free throws.

But it was Goulding, with 27 points and six 3-pointers who regularly drove the dagger into the Phoenix's heart, Lual-Acuil also a monster with 26 points at 63 per cent, 11 rebounds and two substantial blocks.

Mitch Creek had led SEM from the front early, but Alan Williams ran his way into foul trouble, Craig Moller could not contain Goulding and too many members of the rotation had mere cameo moments instead of consistent efforts.

If the Phoenix were expecting to win just by turning up, they had a very rude awakening, Rob Loe again showing his worth for United, his 20 minutes invaluable.  

MELBOURNE UNITED 92 (Goulding 27, Lual-Acuil 26, Cameron 14, Ili 12; Lual-Acuil 11 rebs; Ili 4 assts) d SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE 83 (Creek 19, Browne 16, Williams 14, Moller 12; Moller 9 rebs; Cummings, Browne 4 assts) at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 10,175

BRISBANE had Sydney on the ropes at Qudos Bank Arena, leading by 14 at one point and ready to stake its claim as a genuine championship contender.

Still out 95-89 on a Josh Bannan three-point play with 3:13 left, it was impossible to predict the Bullets had fired their final shot of the contest.

But consecutive baskets by Jaylen Adams (24 points at 64 per cent, 4 assists) changed the game's complexion and when DJ Hogg pushed Sydney in front, 10,235 fans were willing the Kings home.

Between Adams' buckets, Aron Baynes fouled out on an offensive foul, holding on a screen, and that was a key moment in shifting the momentum.

Having added to his basket with a bonus free throw, Hogg then picked off a wayward Mitch Norton pass at the top of the key for an easy dunk and 99-95 buffer.

Brisbane blew shots on a couple of open looks and when Shaun Bruce stole the ball for a layup and bonus, this was well and truly academic, the Bullets still with work to do to match it with the best. 

SYDNEY KINGS 104 (Adams 24, Hogg 16, Bolden 13, Glover, Toohey 12, Hunter 10; Noi 8 rebs; Hunter, Adams 4 assts) d BRISBANE BULLETS 95 (Sobey 17, Bannan 16, Baynes 13, McDaniel 10; Bannan 5 rebs; Sobey 5 assts) at Qudos Bank Arena. Crowd: 10,235