DrinkWise Preview: Round 16 Game 3 v Perth Wildcats

It doesn’t get much bigger than this!

A top of the table clash between Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats will provide basketball fans with a spectacle not to be missed at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night.

With both teams having separated themselves from the rest of the league, they are battling it out for the top two spots on the ladder and have plenty to play for.

Boasting 11 wins on the trot, United will be looking to improve it’s franchise recording-breaking winning streak to 12 games, while the Wildcats will be hoping to get back on the winners list.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Chris Goulding has been on fire from three-point land basically his entire NBL career, but the superstar sharp-shooter has been on another level in Round 16.

He’s drained nine triples in the past two games and in both outings it was his shooting that was the source of United’s offence early.

Goulding is leading the way for United on offence, averaging the most points on the team with 16.2 per game and his entertainment value is unmatched when he gets going. There’s nothing better than a Goulding triple that gets the John Cain Arena crowd on its feet.

In what is a blockbuster clash, you can expect Goulding to rise to the occasion and put on a show.

KEY MATCH UP

The big man battle will be absolutely key to the outcome of this game. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. has filled in spectacularly with Jock Landale out injured and if Landale doesn’t get up for this one, Lual-Acuil Jr. will be going head-to-head with John Mooney.

Mooney has been a revelation for the Wildcats this season. The import centre has been dominant, averaging 17.3 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists per game, while shooting 55% from the field. He loves to fight for rebounds and is a talented offensive weapon for the Wildcats.

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The tandem of Mooney and Bryce Cotton has caused constant problems for opposition teams and they’re chemistry has been a huge factor in Perth’s success so far this season.

Lual-Acuil Jr. has had two of the best games of his career in his last two outings, stepping up big time with Landale on the sidelines. He started Round 16 with a career-high 23 points, to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks against the Breakers and then backed that up on Sunday with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal in the big win over the Kings.

THE OTHER GUYS

The Wildcats sit second on the ladder with an 18-7 record, but have lost two of their last three games. In their last outing, Perth fell to New Zealand in Tasmania, 86-84, thanks to a Levi Randolph game-winner in the final second.

Bryce Cotton is the reigning MVP of the NBL and he’s been superb this season once again. Averaging 24 points, 5.7 assists and 3 rebounds per game, Cotton is the league’s leading scorer and can turn a game on its head in an instant.

Todd Blanchfield is having an impressive season for the Wildcats and is a reliable wing player that just gets the job done. Averaging 14.4 points and 3.6 rebounds, Blanchfield is averaging his highest points per game since his final season with the Townsville Crocodiles in 2014/15.

Mitch Norton is another key figure for Perth and he relishes life on the defensive end of the floor. His stifling defence is relentless and he also contributes on the offensive end with averages of 7.5 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Clint Steindl, Jesse Wagstaff, Luke Travers and Jarred Bairstow all bring something different to the table and are important pieces of Perth’s puzzle.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats
Tip off: 7:30pm (AEST), Wednesday 5 May
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand
Tickets: BUY YOURS HERE