Even without Goulding and Barlow, United have plenty of firepower. But this is a huge test, as the Cats defence is solid all over the floor. Young McKay is proving a real rim protector.

United needs Blanchfield to keep Prather in check and below 25 points and stop him from dominating, and they need Majok to play the same strong post D he did vs Jarvis and Bairstow on Thursday.

United by 9.

Jervis*

Without Goulding?

Should be a ripper of a game. Looking forward to the Martin Vs Jackson matchup on its own.

Assuming Knight isn't out with another concussion, Goulding missing could make all the difference.
But yeah, they still have plenty of options.

Match-ups will be interesting.
Lets say MU start with Andersen and Majok, do Perth stick with McKay and try to use his athleticism,
or should they bring out Brandt for extra height,
or even Wagstaff for a bit of extra muscle???
On the flipside, how do MU try to counter McKay? Majok is bigger and stronger, but is he quick enough?

McKay is quite mobile and long so should match up ok with Andersen although Andersen's range may draw McKay out of the middle. Knight should have the strength and experience to have the wood on Majok. Prather vs Blanchfield should be fun to watch also.

The Wildcats offense stinks at the moment. They'll get rolled by MU even without Goulding

Not many seats available- there will be a massive crowd on hand.

Good to see NBL games drawing big crowds.

McKay is quite mobile and long so should match up ok with Andersen although Andersen's range may draw McKay out of the middle. Knight should have the strength and experience to have the wood on Majok.

Andersen isn't really known as big and strong, more a high IQ, high skill player. I'd put Knight on him, Matty is an incredibly smart defender, and let McKay and Majok fight the energy war.

Yes that's how it will go. Will reminiscent of last year when Majok and Charles Jackson battled it out.

And interestingly, Devin Williams and Jameel Mckay played in the same college conference and were both big time players in that league over the past couple of years, so they should know each other well. Hoping Devin gets an opportunity and can show us something since his minutes have been minimal.

What's the bet on how many times Dwayne Russell still manages to mention Goulding?

9 Free throws to ZERO in the 1st qtr

LOLOL..
So it looks like the refs put good cash on United today

Great subbing DD, take Moore off after he scores 3 times in a row. Comes back on hes gone cold

Is Dwayne Russell a professional commentator or is he a just a Melbourne United Cheer leader?

Some solid minutes by Adnam there.

Ingram's defence is much worse than jj was

DD's an idiot. He's already been pulled up on that earlier in the season.

This one seems to be going pretty much to script so far. Melbourne are doing a pretty good job of restricting us.
Those threes from DKD & Redhage were important.

Goulding's impact on the success of United is ridiculously overstated

Oh boo hoo. Maybe if we actually penetrate we'll earn some calls.
Fair officiating does not require fouls to be equal.

Williams is trash.

That's what happens when you put only 1 scorer on the floor for like 5 mins. Wesley bricks 4 3s in a row.

Flophage.

Yikes. Nearly threw that one away.

Tough road win. Super effort, Cats.

Is Kenny injured? Started, played the first 3:44, then didn't play again.

Hurt his groin

The last player on their roster that should be attempting a 3 at the buzzer to put the game into OT is Cedric Jackson. Other than maybe Majok although I'd probably prefer him taking it over Cedric who needs to realise one of these days he can't shoot.

Pretty good effort by MU really missing their best player against the defending champs.

The commentators seem so disappointed that Melbourne did not win.

They do know that he missed that corner 3, right? He only scored 8 points.

United needs to put a call into Shawn Dennis

Big win for Perth. Is it me or was Moore totally under utilised by United in the second half. He was looking good in the first half. I like the fact that Perth are closing out close games even with their offence stinking it up.

Surely Devin Williams is gone.

Surely Devin Williams is gone.

WTF is Demopolous smoking? Odigie/Adnam/Tomlinson/Blanchfield/Wesley as a lineup while the game is on the line and Moore + Andersen+ Cedric cooling their heels??
Haha....supercoach

lv gone missing? sorry bubbles didn't play, d$oesn't count as nothing.

Well I've seen both teams play heaps this season, and that game confirmed my thoughts on both of them.

Perth are solid defensively, but don't have many go to options other than Prather. Struggle in half court offense. Real potential for semi final or even grand finalist. Very unlikely to win the championship.

Demopoulos is out of his depth. Hope I'm wrong but it's Hard to see Melbourne winning a title with him at the helm making dimwitted decisions.

Wouldn't surprise me if this week is spent looking at New import options to replace Williams, and a call is made to Shawn Dennis (does he still live in Townsville? Someone might pay him a visit on Thursday or Friday). One game this week, then an 8 day break so it's quite possible DD and DW are on a plane by this time next week.

Hard to watch that today. I'd prefer if Utd were more like Adelaide- zero chance of a title but young kids infringing t themselves, playing with a system, play with passion, led by a good coach.

nice road win

Improving* themselves

Agreed LV, Williams has been a fail. Perfect time to scoop up a good player right now! Melbourne need a 7fter

Melbourne need a coach... "Alright!"

Was Moore under utilised, someone asked?

I'm done. I probably shouldn't post any more as it'll turn into an anti DD rant.

Maybe I should dig out the email I drafted after round 1, update it and actually send it to Vince Crivelli this time. Expressing my concerns re DD.

As far as the season, United will make top 4. They lost a close one to a team who was 3-1 coming in, and were missing their best scorer (Goulding) and possibly their most reliable spot up three point shooter (Barlow). So it's not the end of the world. But damn it is hard to sit there and watch a coach making hair brained subs for an entire game.

Barlow played a few pre season games. Then hurt his calf, I think. Previous injury was achilles.

DD lost that game. Stupid substitutions were the least of it. So often MU set up someone for a one on one and then one of his team-mates would either get in the way or be so close that his defender could help guard the ball.
As for the farcical last few minutes when nobody in MU wanted to shoot, or they missed no-pressure shots, or they blew overload fast breaks ... Jeez.

And WHY did Jackson chuck up that last shot instead of a play to get it to either Andersen or Blanchfield or even Tomlinson?

I think they were easily good enough to win without Goulding; they just couldn't! (Instead of Wesley chucking up bricks it probably would have been Goulding doing it.)

Next coach please.

DD makes Gleeson look like a coach.

Well, somehow the cats are managing to get the job done. It doesn't look pretty but their experienced heads and trademark D are getting them over the line for now. It seems the notion of a more athletic high tempo game style is out the window already. Did we really believe Gleeson anyway. So a Beal type import still looks the better option with his versatility to run the point if needed. At times today kenny and martin were off injured. Ingram looks too one dimensional offensively and not great defensively. Should give him a month to see what he can do but it will still be early enough in the season to pull the trigger on another import if the cats' hierarchy are able to eat humble pie

Perth don't have the firepower to win it this year.. I can't see them keeping up with a stacked kings team as the season goes.. They are a Casey Prather injury away from wooden spoons

Hows that cats offense looking today dazz?

Most cats fans probably wont care too much if they dont win the whole thing aslong as they make the finals and keep the streak going.

The league looks close? It's Sydney then daylight. I expect Utd to snatch second once they have their full line up back, and their talent can overcome their coach

It's Sydney then daylight *on paper*.

Well Sydney has been the most impressive team to date, full stop.

I'm just making an educated assumption that the introduction of a superstar 7 footer and a 13 year NBA guy who will shore up their only weakness, That could add some daylight.

"It's Sydney then daylight."

That's a pretty big call at this stage of the season to be making. Kings have played one team thats currently in the top 4 and that was a loss to Brisbane. Add to that they are currently second on the ladder. Great team with a bucket load of potential - Yes.....but I think its way too early to be placing them ahead of the pack :)

"I'm just making an educated assumption that the introduction of a superstar 7 footer and a 13 year NBA guy who will shore up their only weakness, That could add some daylight."

Or it could totally back fire if the chemistry isn't there :P

lv when can you stop talking crap? get over yourself! Perth will be there every year like it or not. you 're a toss.

good luck with United, Sydney have to prove to be that team you want them to be

I've seen plenty of every single team. So far, every team has shown at least one obvious, significant weakness.... Except Sydney.

2 things to add to that observation.

1. Without personnel changes, I don't see any of the other teams overcoming their weakness.

2. It's unlikely that the introduction of Khazzouh and Blake will create any weakness for Sydney. We're talking a 7 footer who can score from anywhere, and an NBA point guard. The only question being raised is "will there be enough ball to go around" chemistry, etc. But Blake has always been a role player, so has Maric and Newley over past few years. These are veterans. I don't see it being an issue.

And of course, keep in mind my "without personnel changes" comment. There could always be import changes, coaching changes etc.

(Or injuries).

My question marks over Sydney were. 1 no pass first PG. 2. Gaze .

Blake is the answer to #1. And #2 is looking good. Vickerman is there too, after all, to guide him through so perhaps that's no surprise.

Lol

Gleeson is a flog

Blake no Kobe, I don't understand why Sydney is the team to beat?

The league looks close? It's Sydney then daylight.

I think Redhage showed his experience today. Played more minutes as normal and we needed his experience on court.

He has been used to close out games in the 4th quarter a few times this season now. It's a smart move, keep him fresh and then use his wealth of experience when its needed. Redhage maybe dwindling but he still clutch in high pressure situations.

Lol @ Dazz who makes a comment on the entire league and then whinges when someone replies to him.

Melbourne looked pretty ordinary for a team who were almost unanimous pre-season favourites.

When the commentators are calling out your line-ups as having NO offensive threats (and then conceding that Wesley can score a bit), but you can't see it at coach there is something wrong. And no Wesley should not be the offensive powerhouse in any line-up (useful 4th or 5th option, sure).

Melbourne might have a good core, but their bench might be the weakest in the league. I realise Goulding was not available (Barlow, does he still play!) but Melbourne should have won that game.

Every year we talk about Perth's offensive limitations, and every year they still seem to get it together somehow. That said, I just can't see them consistently putting up winning scores this year. I have watched a few of their games now, and they are a mess at the offensive end.

All in all, not a very convincing outing by either team.