The Tasmania JackJumpers are one win away from clinching a maiden NBL title after Jack McVeigh’s last-ditch three sealed a 93-91 upset of Melbourne United in game three of the Championship Series.
McVeigh put up a prayer from well behind the three-point line after Matthew Dellavedova turned over an in-bounds pass with just seconds left.
The shot rattled in, sparking wild scenes among the travelling contingent of JackJumpers fans in the 10,175-strong crowd at sold-out John Cain Arena on Sunday.
The lead changed hands seven times in the frantic last three-and-a-half minutes before McVeigh settled the contest.
He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a huge performance, with Majok Deng (15 points) also vital after stepping up when import centre Marcus Lee limped off with a leg injury.
Jordon Crawford and Milton Doyle scored 14 points each, while Dellavedova (21) and captain Chris Goulding (17) led United’s scoring.
Tasmania lead 2-1 in the best-of-five series, which returns to Hobart for game four on Thursday night.
If required, game five will be played in Melbourne next Sunday.
Restricted to their lowest-scoring half of the season at the back end of game two, Melbourne got off to a hot start back on their home court.
They skipped out to a 15-6 lead in the opening minutes when Goulding cashed in on a unsportsmanlike foul by Doyle and Dellavedova drained a follow-up three.
The home side led 25-20 at quarter-time and Will Magnay was hit with a technical foul for flopping after front-on contact from Dellavedova early in the second term.
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