pelicans vs melbourne united

The New Orleans Pelicans faced Melbourne United in an exhibition NBA Global Tour game on October 3, 2025, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. This was the first time an NBA team competed on Australian soil against an NBL team. The game was part of the Pelicans' preparations for the upcoming NBA regular season and a significant test for Melbourne United, who started their season strong. Melbourne United entered the match with a 3-0 record, known for their strong ball movement and solid defense. The Pelicans, featuring star forward Zion Williamson among others, were fielding a new-look lineup. Despite it being a friendly game, both teams prepared seriously aiming to compete well. The matchup was anticipated to be a challenging contest for Melbourne United, as the NBA team was considered vastly stronger, but playing at home gave Melbourne an edge. Prediction trends before the game suggested a low- scoring match under 218.5 points, with the Pelicans expected to dominate but potentially not push hard for the whole game due to the exhibition nature and the Australian crowd's influence. The event was historic as part of the NBAxNBL Series, showcasing the growing relationship between the leagues and globalizing basketball.