DrinkWise Preview: Grand Final Game Three v Perth Wildcats

United is finally back in Melbourne and after over five weeks on the road, the team returns with a chance to clinch the 2021 NBL Championship.

After claiming both games in Perth to kick off the Grand Final Series, United will be back at John Cain Arena on Friday night with everything to play for, while the Wildcats will doing all they can to extend the series past three games.

It’s time to unite, Melbourne!

THE DIFFERENCE IN GAME TWO

While superstars Chris Goulding (21 points) and Jock Landale (12 points and NBL Grand Final record 17 rebounds) stood tall in Game Two and delivered huge performances, Melbourne’s second unit was just as important.

United’s bench outscored Perth’s 41-16 and that was led by a game-changing performance by Yudai Baba.

As well as his highlight beyond mid-court buzzer-beater triple in the second term, Baba was involved in everything on his way to recording 15 points (three triples) and 4 rebounds.

While his offensive exploits were extremely fun to watch, his defensive work – which has been elite all season long – shone through as he made a nuisance of himself on that end of the court. Perth’s offence never got going after quarter time and much of that had to do with Melbourne’s defence, led by Baba’s stifling play.

Baba was vital in the win, but United’s bench production didn’t stop there. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (10 points) and Scotty Hopson (9 points and 3 rebounds) also ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over at key moments throughout the game.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch McCarron was the dominant playmaker in Game Two, dishing out a game-high 7 assists. No one else in the game recorded more than 3.

All season, McCarron has been doing whatever is required of him. Coach Dean Vickerman knows whatever task he sets for McCarron, the job will get done.

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He finished Game Two with a typical McCarron stat sheet-stuffing performance of 6 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal. It’s all in a day’s work for McCarron.

McCarron has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season and with a chance to clinch his first NBL Championship ring, expect him to come out breathing fire on Friday night.

THE OTHER GUYS

Perth is relentless. At times throughout both games so far, Melbourne has looked like running away with a big win, but each time, the Wildcats respond. They never give in, and Mitch Norton is the prime example of that.

Norton put in a special effort in Game Two – clearly hampered by an injury, he kept fighting and did everything he could to keep Perth in the game. He finished with 12 points and 3 rebounds while playing strong defence and inspiring his team. Expect more of that on Friday night.

After a quiet Game One, John Mooney returned to form in Game Two, recording a team-high 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. He’s a handful to cover in the paint and as always, the battle between Mooney and Landale will be crucial in Game Three.

Kevin White has suddenly turned into a sharp-shooter in this series. The veteran guard has stepped up in a big way and his triples gave Perth life at the start of Game Two. He’s hit seven triples across the two games and will figure prominently in Game Three.

After an explosive Game One, Todd Blanchfield found it much tougher going in Game Two. With Baba on his tail for much of the night, Blanchfield never found his groove and shot just 3/19 from the field and 0/10 from three-point land.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats.
Tip off: 7:30pm (AEST), Friday 25 June.
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne.
Watch: ESPN, SBS VICELAND, and SBS On Demand.