Basketball On The Internet.

DASH Daniels was the most positive story out of last night's historic first NBA-NBL clash on Australian soil where New Orleans Pelicans iced Melbourne United 107-97, Milton Doyle also showing he was right at home among the US sporting millionaires as a sold-out Rod Laver Arena rocked to every spectacular moment.

A preseason game for the Pelicans, they treated it appropriately, fans only seeing megastars Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III for 15 and 19 minutes respectively.

The marquee drawcards certainly provided their share of magical, memorable moments but this was about quality minutes, not quantity.

And United coach Dean Vickerman, while trying to ensure his club put its best foot forward in this milestone event, also was conscious of giving his deep rotation minutes. Who doesn't want the experience of sharing court-time with NBA players?

Not too much should be read into the result, probably the most irrelevant statistic from an evening and build-up second-to-none and an event which should make more NBA teams eager to follow the Pelicans' lead Down Under.

Whether it was NBA legends such as Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett or Joe Dumars waxing lyrical about the many joys of the city of Melbourne or the Pelicans players revelling in such devout, knowledgable attention and love from citizens of another country, little could diminish from what was achieved by the NBL.

The game itself was thoroughly enjoyable and while for many will reignite the debate over playing four 12-minute quarter, 48-minute games, for others, it will content them with the 40-minute FIBA format we enjoy.

Melbourne hung tough throughout, even when New Orleans' main rotation threatened to blow it out. And it was able to compete with the Pelicans' lesser known youngsters, even closing to 95-99 late, revving an already excited crowd. 

The issue all night for Melbourne was the fact New Orleans is loaded with athletes, players taller, faster and longer, able to create turnovers and always ready to punish any mistakes or wasted opportunites.

While the bulk of the Pelicans' stars sat through the second half, Melbourne consistently managed to draw back from double-digit deficits, though unable to fully bridge the gap.

Doyle would have looked equally comfortable in a Pelicans' jersey, compiling 16 points in the first half and a game-high 25, plus four assists.

As a result, he drew the most defensive attention, which contributed to his seven turnovers, unfortunately also the game high.

Jesse Edwards also provided some ooh-aah moments for Melbourne fans, Finn Delany similarly prominent with a 13-point, 9-rebound return.

Apart from two 3-point airball attempts, Daniels was surprisingly at ease in the upgraded company, his 11 points at 50 per cent, six rebounds, an assist and steal drawing compliments from New Orleans coach Willie Green.

“His (Daniels’) defensive instincts are very similar to his brother (Dyson),” Green said.

“He picks up full court, long arms, great size, he’s physical and he caused some havoc for us defensively. He’s a really good player.”

Williamson told him he was looking forward to seeing the plucky 17-year-old in the NBA.

Murphy with two wicked dunks and Williamson generally gave fans the moments they wanted, though the latter being anchored to the bench after the main interval eventually had the crowd chanting: "We want Zion."

He was grinning at such a reception but in truth, there was much to smile about, the event an unqualified success.

New Orleans Pelicans 107 (Murphy 18, Williamson 15, Hawkins, Alvarado, Poole 11, McGowens 10; Missi 8 rebs; Williamson 5 assts) d Melbourne United 97 (Doyle 25, Delany 13, Wilson, Edwards 12, Daniels 11; Delany 9 rebs; Walker 5 assts) at Rod Laver Arena.