United beat Hawks at Home

Melbourne United have celebrated the long-awaited return of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, but it was fellow centre Ariel Hukporti who starred in a 101-91 road defeat of the lllawarra Hawks.

NBL heavyweights United only moved clear from last season's wooden spooners towards the end of the third quarter following a high-scoring first half at WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday.

The Hawks missed nine consecutive shots to finish the third period as United opened up a 14-point lead that proved match-winning.

Big man Gary Clark (17 points) was one of few Hawks who got his eye in, with imports Tyler Harvey (19 points, six from 16 attempts) and Justin Robinson (nine points, two from eight) again struggling.

Robinson was one of three Hawks to foul out, alongside big men Sam Froling and Lachlan Olbrich.

Despite Illawarra's shooting issues, United gave up more first half points (51) than in any other of their games this season.

The Hawks dominated the offensive glass (18-10) and punished United with 21 points from turnovers.

But they finished the day shooting at 38 per cent from the field to United's 53, which made things difficult, especially when United locked the paint down in the third quarter.

Projected NBA draft lottery pick AJ Johnson had his best Hawks game yet, but was again short on opportunities.

The teenager set the crowd alight with his first NBL three-pointer just after quarter time and sent a dime through traffic that led to a Gary Clark jam on transition soon afterwards.

A four-point play from United veteran Chris Goulding (12 points) gave the visitors what was then a game-high eight-point lead at the main break.

The notorious sharpshooter was fouled as he sank his basket from midway between the halfway line and the three-point arc and then made his one free throw.

MELBOURNE - 101 (Hukporti 21, Clark 16, Travers 15)
ILLAWARRA - 91 (Harvey 19, Clark 17, Lee 11)