United looking to take advantage of pressure produced by fans

Written by Melbourne United Media

Sitting on top of the NBL22 ladder with a strong stretch of home games in hand, Melbourne United is poised for a positive run heading into finals.

Outside of New Zealand and Perth, United have played the league’s most road-games, having secured a competition-best 7-2 record across their nine games away from John Cain Arena.

With seven home-games to come, and two of Melbourne’s five remaining road-games to be played against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at JCA, Assistant Coach Rhys Carter is hoping United’s crowd can help the defending champions keep up their momentum.

Speaking on RSN Breakfast, Carter said it’s crucial for his side to capitalise on the favourable position they’re in.

“We have to take advantage of our home fans, our home crowd, our home court and make the most of the position we’re in at the moment,” he said.

“We set ourselves up really well through December and January winning a lot of games on the road.

“To come out of the other end of that with a top of the table spot, we’re really looking to push and gain some momentum over the last seven games (at home), get the crowd involved at John Cain Arena and get momentum going into finals.”

Boasting the league’s best fans, Carter says the pressure the JCA crowd puts on opponents can be crushing.

“Those times where it’s a close game and you make a little run and go on a four or six point run to give us a little advantage, that’s when (the crowd) really takes over and you hear that noise coming in.

“The opposition feels that pressure, that’s when we really feel like we can use that noise… the bigger it is, and louder it is, the more pressure the opposition feels.”

United’s next home game will be on Saturday 5 March at 8pm against the visiting Brisbane Bullets. Tickets for that game, and Melbourne’s other announced games can be found here.

For those looking to lock in their seats for United’s remaining home games, three and five-game memberships are still available here.