Playoff pressure readies United for ultimate test

Having overcome the Illawarra Hawks in an intense three-game Playoff series, Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman believes his side is operating at a Championship level heading into their best-of-five series against Tasmania.

Speaking after MU’s Game 3 victory, Vickerman said the battles with the Hawks have hardened his playing group.

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“I thought we just got better throughout the series. I think we’re ready for a Grand Final series after going through that,” he said.

“We talked about these moments where we captured a little bit of a lead and talked about could we hold it or push it out a little bit and that’s still an area that we’ve been challenged in but that’s what Semi-finals and Finals basketball is, people are just going to keep coming.”

Across the three games, Matthew Dellavedova stepped up time and time again, averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

A championship winner at the highest level, Dellavedova’s desire to win was a major contributing factor in Melbourne getting over the line.

“There was a will and a desire from us tonight and Delly really drove that over this series and again made mention to the guys at shoot-around,” Vickerman explained.

“Put your hard hat on, win loose balls and we were much better in the rebound count tonight, we came up with a lot of those 50/50’s, like that last free-throw miss that Delly came up with to give us an extra possession.”

When asked post-game whether he could feel the magnitude of the moment while he was out there, Dellavedova answered simply.

“There’s always pressure but it’s an opportunity. You want to play in these games. This is why you play the game,” he said.

“We were tested multiple times and I think it all comes back to defence. If we can string stops together it allows us to get out, push the ball and flow into our offence.

“When we’re active and taking things away, getting deflections and finishing with rebounds, that’s what we need to do consistently for longer.”

United will now head into the Championship series, which will kick off on Sunday afternoon from 4pm at John Cain Arena.

To stay up to date will all the relevant information for the Championship series, including ticketing details, keep your eyes on our Finals Hub.