How Dellavedova inspired NBA game

Cleveland Cavaliers champion and Melbourne United player, Matthew Dellavedova, has been hailed as one of the pioneers in the journey of the New Orleans Pelicans being the first NBA team to play in Australia this October. 

In a historic moment for basketball, the Pelicans will play Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 3 and October 5.

David Griffin, New Orleans' Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, was formally the General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-2019, where he formed a strong relationship with Dellavedova. 

Delly became a loved figure in Cleveland, playing a key role in the Cavs' 2016 title and in 2015, his intense defensive efforts on Steph Curry saw him later hospitalised after the game due to dehydration. 

“I saw him yesterday at practice with United. Delly is as responsible for this as any player could be, because what I watched him do in our Finals versus Golden State - when he had to be hospitalised to take him off of Steph Curry - was one of the most powerful things I have ever seen in sport,” Griffin said.

“His grit and his determination was something that fuelled us as a team, and it’s fuelled me ever since in my career. 

“What he represented to us is what I would like our teams to represent, it’s what I would like New Orleans Pelicans to represent in many ways.” 

United host the Hawks in Game 2 of the Championship Series on Wednesday night, with coverage starting from 7pm AEDT. Tip-off is 7:30pm, live on ESPN.