By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Game 1 of the first-ever NBAxNBL: Melbourne Series attracted a sell-out attendance nearing 15,000 fans, including Kevin Garnett courtside, with the New Orleans Pelicans repelling resilient Melbourne United for a 107-97 victory in Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
After pushing the lead to 16 points and seeming comfortable, the NBA side narrowly held on in Melbourne. Dominating for large stretches, especially in the first half, Zion Williamson finished with 15 points to go with five assists. Trey Murphy III logged a team-high 18 points. Croatian Karlo Matkovic added six points, four rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist. On the NBL side, Milton Doyle tallied a game-high 25 points.
Opening the NBA Preseason 2025 schedule in Etihad Arena, the New York Knicks topped the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-84. French Pacome Dadiet started for Mike Brown’s side and recorded four points and two rebounds, with fellow French imports Guerschon Yabusele and Mohamed Diawara coming off the bench but did not score, in contrast to German Ariel Hukporti and Ukrainian Alex Len producing six and five points, respectively. Starting on the losing end, Turkish Adem Bona had four points.
Preseason action continues over the next few days with additional teams currently based in North America joining, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns meeting each other in Palm Desert on Friday. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will stay in Melbourne to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday, similar to the Knicks and Sixers rematching in Abu Dhabi.