Basketball On The Internet.

SOUTH East Melbourne coach Josh King had it right post the Phoenix's 20-point loss to crosstown rival United last night when he said: "It was a man's game and we weren't ready to play like men." Consequently Melbourne went on a rampage to seize a 20-9 edge in all-time "Throwdown" matches.

That looked unlikely when Nathan Sobey, en route to a game-high 26 points, stuck a 3-pointer to give South East a 70-66 lead with 3:15 left in the third.

John Brown, whose reliable mid-range jumper temporarily deserted him, rediscovered his range to hit three in a row and this derby rivalry's "little brother" was coming up big.

But after what had been an enthralling tussle, United simply went up a gear from there and, as King pointedly pointed out, those among his group who thought they had arrived, suddenly realised they were still at the departure gate.

Shea Ili and Fabijan Krslovic largely were the architects as United built a 9-0 streak to the last break for a 75-70 edge, then Milton Doyle with a triple and a dunk continued to stretch the buffer in the final quarter.

Melbourne's defence was exemplary as it consistently forced South East into poor decisions. The Phoenix had forced eight United turnovers by late in the first period but even then, Melbourne had the answers with Tanner Krebs bobbing up at the right times. 

But in the last,as Melbourne turned up the defensive screws, Phoenix had no reply. Kyle Bowen flipped in a reverse, then added a bonus free throw. Next Krslovic had a tip-in, then backed it up with a three.

From 66-70, Melbourne was at 88-70, a 22-0 run from which there would be no recovery. United had six players in double figures, then Dash Daniels on 9, Jesse Edwards and Tom Wilson 8 apiece in a very even spread.

It was as comprehensive a conclusion as Melbourne could have conceived or coveted.

Round 2

Melbourne United 103 (Doyle 18, Walker 13, Krslovic 12, Ili, Krebs, Delany 10; Edwards 6 rebs; Walker 8 assts) d South East Melbourne Phoenix 83 (Sobey 26, Brown 12, Hunter 9; Gak, Glover 6 rebs; Maldonado 7 assts) at the UN, John Cain Arena. Crowd: 10,035

Tonight: Cairns hosts Brisbane.

Brisbane will be down Mitch Norton in the Queensland derby at Cairns.

Quite the conundrum when you look at the NBL's official stats for this game and it rightly lists Cairns' big man Sam Waardenburg out until December after the all-too-recent surgery on his ankle.

Apparently though he's still in the line-up and, will you look at that, he's also in the Brisbane line-up, along with all of his Taipans teammates.

That's one way to save the Bullets those costly airfares.

Snakes coach Adam Forde rightly flayed his charges for their abject ineptitude on the road last week at South East so the Orange Army can expect a better representation at home.

Brisbane looked solid on the road in its win over New Zealand, Casey Prather back to his best and Tyrell Harrison - as he should be tonight - a colossus in the keyway. 

But then the Breakers left a lot to be desired so it's dangerous to read too much into that result.

Cairns fans should be optimistic about what their team can do in this Sunshine Stoush, Pineapple Pinata or Mango Mangle ... whichever you prefer.

Elsewhere: Tassie import David Johnson has hurt his leg and is not expected back before Round 6, possibly forcing the Jackies into finding a short-term replacement.

William "Davo" Hickey (eye) will miss Illawarra's match with Tasmania and could be out a further four weeks.

Adelaide has recruited 211cm Serbian big Nicholas Rakocevic, 27, to replace Montrezl Harrell. Rakocevic has spent most of his pro life playing in China's CBA, after a US college career at USC.