Aussie basketball great Shane Heal has fired a brutal barb at the Red Army on the eve of the grand final opener, warning Wildcats fans it will be the "easiest and most one-sided" deciding series of all-time.

Heal just trying to stay relevant

Most one-sided of all time might be a stretch, but I think the most likely outcome is a 3-0 sweep.
I don't think you need to hate the Cats to predict that. I certainly don't hate 'em. I've got my tickets to go cheer them on. But when you consider all the permutations of how a game between these teams could go, the overwhelming majority of them result in a Melbourne win IMO.

Mostly likely outcome 3 to 1 I think, 3 zip just slightly behind.

Determine Cats defence and rebounding, some home cooking, and a high number of 3 point makes from Steindl and Blanchfield and good overall percentage from the team good for one.

The achievement for the Wildcats was in getting to the grand final, whatever the outcome from here, even a 3 zip result would be nothing to be ashamed of. It might have been if Cotton was healthy and it still occurred.

No asterix on it for United, they would have started favourites with a full strength team in any case, and the team in their top moments of the year, proved they are the business.

Don't get me wrong I understand we are underdogs and the odds suggest the most likely series outcome is a 3-1 loss but for Heal to double down and predict it as the worst sweep of all-time is him letting out all of his pent up frustration over the years at the incredible success the Cats have had. All his comments as an analyst, where he should be impartial, have always been negative towards us no matter what. Such a sad and unprofessional individual.

Just off the top of my head Hawks being swept by us 3-0 in 2010 by large margins was really bad and I don't think we'll be topping that performance. There would be others as well. It's a huge call by a hater.

The funny thing is no series will ever be as easy or as one-sided as his bankruptcy proceedings.

That should read 3-0 in 2017 vs. Hawks, not 2010.

How did the Hawks go in 2005? That's the other one that comes to mind.

1994 and 2003 both had close game ones followed by completely one-sided game twos.

Good one, 2005 wins hands down when Goorjian's Kings completely annihilated Joyce's Hawks. I remember it was such a downer after the previous season's Kings-Razorbacks series which debuted the new five game format in style.

Checking the scores of the 2005 series and it went as follows: 96-73, 105-80 & 112-85, a -75 point differential. What a bloodbath, Heal really is a massive dickhead with his hot take. Funny how it was someone from his very own mate's circle, which he constantly pumps up in the form of Brendan Joyce, who as head coach was on the wrong side of a demolition job.

Cats are always competitive. This will be no different, especially in Perth. United hasn't exactly got the same great track record.
Cats by 5

My Tip:

3-0 or 3-1 United with 2 of the 3 wins by double digits.

To avoid sitting on the fence, 3-0 with 2 comfortable wins and 1 going down to the wire.

Have posted about specific predictions and X factors in my "Grand Final: Recipe for Success" thread.

From the perspective of Grand Final competitiveness, factors suggesting United wins comfortably:

- Talent. Cotton is missing, giving United a big edge.

- Recent history- United has won 5 of the past 7 including the last 3 at RAC Arena. 4 of those wins by 8 points or more. 1 of Perth's 2 wins was by 4 points with United missing CG43 and Ili.

- Depth- Over a 5 game series, United's stronger bench could become crucial.

- Form- United dominated SEM in Game 1 and the last 2.5 quarters of Game 3. Perth struggled through against the Hawks who had an embarrassing record against top 4 teams this season and were realistically making up the numbers (unlike United's opponent SEM who dominated Hawks during the season and were extremely competitive against United and Perth). Hence why SEM were $8 for title at playoff start, Hawks $17.

If you ignore junk time ie game 1 last quarter, United was +32 against a genuine finals opponent. Perth was +14 with actual home court advantage against the inexperienced, flat track bully Hawks.

Going back further, United dominated the last round of regular season including a big win in Perth.

- Offense/ Defense- A rule of thumb in team sports is the champion is always above average both offensively and defensively. At minimum, average in one and uber elite in the other. Perth without Cotton is below average offensively. United has been #1 at both ends since NBL cup.

- This season- Perth 25-11 record and remained fairly healthy until Cotton. United 28-8 with most of those losses (7 of 8?) missing multiple injured players.


Factors suggesting Perth will be very competitive:

- Their history of strong finals performance. They've been like Brisbane during their AFL dynasty, or the current Richmond- good teams during the season who separate themselves in finals.

They've never lost a Grand Final under Gleeson- 5-0 and have barely needed any deciding games in playoff series under his reign.

Elephant in the room! In 2019 the odds were roughly even (or maybe United very slight favourite?) and Perth demolished them.

- Games 1 and 2 in Perth. Giving them a golden opportunity to take an early series lead 1-0 or 2-0.

- The red army. Never underestimate them. They'll be loud. The refs might favour Perth. Game 3 of 2020 still weighs on the minds of United's fans and maybe Vickerman's too.

Will United even have a crowd at all? It's looking promising that they'll have limited capacity. But no guarantee at this stage.


Intriguing factors:

- United on a massive road trip. Haven't "slept in their own beds" for almost a month, instead travelling everywhere including a hotel quarantine stint. I'm not sure what to think of this, but certainly Melbourne Storm and Richmond 2020 suggest its not a disadvantage. Plus Perth themselves in the NBL cup (although I doubt any of those teams did as much flying around as United have been. They all had an established hub/ home base where they spent most of their time. United is on the final leg of a legitimate travelling road trip).

The first bunch of factors outweigh the second for mine. United to win comfortably.

Busy weekend ahead, won't be posting much. Go United!

In terms of basketball factors, key for United is Pace and Possession, as I mentioned in the other thread.

Play at our place. Move the ball crisply. Crash the boards.

For Perth to beat us, they'll have to play a slow bump and grind.

If United gets moving, pushes the ball, we shouldn't lose.

I'm confident enough that our offense will be overall more efficient against their D than Perth's will be against ours. So logically if United draws even on turnovers and rebounds we'll win.

The other key is stopping Blanchfield, who scored 24 in both semi final wins. He's the only guy who could consistently replace the scoring punch that Cotton brings. Steindl might have good stretches but not consistently over 5 games.

So KPIs for United:

- Win rebounds and turnovers, or at least draw equal

- Keep Blanchfield average under say, 18.

Do those over the series and we should definitely win.

" LV thought you weren't posting anymore douche"

If the forum has to suffer through Perth's offering of Troll KR, we also have to suffer through LVs incessant “world revolves around Melbourne”.

Thems the rules!

Just admit it KET, you love Melbourne :-)

" Just admit it KET, you love Melbourne :-)"

Not in winter, it's freezing!

Cheers anon, good luck to Perth. Admittedly the benchmark franchise of the NBL. May the best team win.

And yeah KET, not our greatest time of year atm. Good thing we can relax inside on the couch with a beverage of choice and enjoy the game. (For me these days, probably just a cuppa!)

LV tips Melbourne 3-0 and 3-1 and at a push 3-2 but also says that perth can win 3-0 and 3-1 and possibly 3-2. So if he gets it wrong he can come back here and say "no no see I picked that result." Just like he hedged in the Semi

It'll be a typical Cats game I feel, lead fairly comfortably for the first half with United within a sniff, 3rd qtr crash and burn and then a tight finish that'll be 50/50. Will pray for some final minutes home cooking to get us over the line...

Perth 3-0 (but I really hope to be proven wrong - please not Perth holding the trophy AGAIN)

Somehow, Perth will win both at home. All the pressure will be on Melbourne in game 3, and they don't handle pressure well enough for me to be confident that they’ll take it.

The red army. Never underestimate them. They'll be loud. The refs might favour Perth. Game 3 of 2020 still weighs on the minds of United's fans and maybe Vickerman's too.

[The game...in Sydney with no fans?]

The game in Sydney where United lost by 2 points after having 27 fouls called on them. (Sydney had 15).

It wasn't a Perth game but it was a lucky game for Perth, given they avoided the team who had beaten them twice in a row down the stretch of that season. Both comfortable wins too.

Still amazes me how United lost that series.

Game 1- Choked a huge lead in Sydney. From memory up 16 with 6 minutes left, and lost. Threw up some ill advised shots, not even late in the shot clock in that 6 minutes too.

Game 2- Must've been one of the most dominant performance by any team in any NBL playoff ever (From memory led by 59 points, 98-39 at one stage).

Game 3- Outplayed the Kings in Sydney, refs denied United the chance to play for a title.


[LV tips Melbourne 3-0 and 3-1 and at a push 3-2 but also says that perth can win 3-0 and 3-1 and possibly 3-2. So if he gets it wrong he can come back here and say "no no see I picked that result." Just like he hedged in the Semi]

My tip is United 3-0, I stated that clearly.

You can say I was right if they sweep, wrong if they don't. It’s the most likely outcome to me.

It’s all about probabilities. I’d give probabilities something like this:

United 3-0: 50% chance, United 3-1: 25%, United 3-2: 10%, Perth 3-2: 7.5% Perth 3-1 or 3-0: 7.5%.

So 85% chance United wins. 15% chance Perth.

Injuries could always hit. That’s factored into my probabilities. Eg: if United plays all 5 games with our entire roster all fit and healthy I give us over 90%. One injury to Landale in pre-match warmup and suddenly United goes down to about 65%. My middle ground is 85%.

Crowds. I’m assuming limited capacity in Melbourne. If neutral or zero crowds, drop United down slightly.

Blanchfield. Will he be at his absolute best for the majority of the 5 games? Unlikely. But very likely he goes off and shoots 25 at least once. If he does, Perth has a good chance of a win. So I give them 50% chance of a win. Mooney is always there but Landale will roughly match or better his impact in most games. Blanchfield is the guy who could help bridge the Cotton gap.

All these factors are weighed. They all influence results.

The equation changes constantly. I’m saying United 85% chance of winning, Perth 15%. If United wins tonight by 20, that might jump to 95% from there. If United loses by 5 points and Landale is ruled out for the series, it might drop to 50/50.

Personally I prefer the battle between Perthworld, and the guy who thinks Perthworld is someone who he isn't so constantly attacks him.

[Injuries could always hit. That's factored into my probabilities. Eg: if United plays all 5 games with our entire roster all fit and healthy I give us over 90%. One injury to Landale in pre-match warmup and suddenly United goes down to about 65%. My middle ground is 85%.]

Although, Perth could have injuries too.

But being a "system" team, Perth is slightly less susceptible to injuries (Unless it's Mooney, Blanchfield or Norton).

But I think an injury to Landale would particularly hurt United, and an injury to CG43, Hopson or McCarron would hurt but less than Landale. So there's probably 4 key players for United and 3 for Perth, meaning United slightly more susceptible to injuries. yes we're very deep, but I do think those guys are key and the job would get substantially harder without any of them. As are the 3 I listed for Perth.

you realize the Melbourne rent-a-crowd is not actually a factor don't you? there is more noise and emotion at an empty Quodos than John Cain.

Five Burning Questions for the Grand Final Series
(by Liam Santamaria - NBL.com.au)

Link

And yet, with Cotton on the floor, this squad was still putting up numbers. Bryce made such a massive difference at the offensive end that the Wildcats led the league in offensive efficiency, and by some margin, averaging 119.2 points per 100 possessions per spatialjam.com.

Since Cotton's injury, however, that scoring has dropped away. In fact, across their past 7 games the 'Cats have produced just 75.7 points per game at just 105.4 points per 100 possessions.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/key-wildcats-ok-for-nbl-grand-final-series-c-3139525

Normally I would put this down to sports writers for the major news services not knowing the NBL; like the mention of Shane Heal's 2 Andrew Gaze Medals (for international basketball) in an article about the NBL MVP (Andrew Gaze Trophy); but Trev seems to be confirming that if you don't play in the GF series you don't get a ring. When did this change? I still remember Sam Harris and Paul Rogers getting a ring in 2010 despite not being on the active roster and there was talk of Trueman getting a ring when he filled in for someone during the season a couple of years after he left the 'Cats. Not to mention all the development players who are credited with championships i.e. Goulding has 2 championships - 1 as a DP and one on a full roster slot, Rhys Vague's multiple championships etc

Travers ruled out of game one due to calf soreness.

Travers out with calf soreness, this one's over. :'(

Ha. We literally posted at the exact same second. Came down to microseconds!

" Came down to microseconds!"

But only one can go to the Olympics...

Sorry, been watching the swimming trials

Anyone want to double down on this not being a choke if United lose, lol.

New information wouldn't be doubling down, would it?

Point made by the post above suggesting he’d have tipped Perth by a few points in the game but now doesn’t.

Well he might only be out for 1 game, and of course Perth supporters are going to tip Perth, heck I still am more through hope and prayers!

Great piece by Santamaria

I think he's been reading my posts, as he made most of the same points I've made over the past few days about this series.

Nah, it's just the stuff Perth's always done well: Possession game, rebounds combined with pointing out the obvious: The importance of Cotton, and now Blanchfield to replace his output. The need for Perth to slow this into a bump and grind.

" Well he might only be out for 1 game, and of course Perth supporters are going to tip Perth, heck I still am more through hope and prayers!"

Let's be honest here though, series hasn’t started yet so there isn’t even a hint of choking, so it’s bizarre for that to even be mentioned.

Is the aim to just goad Melbourne fans? I don’t really get the point of setting up a false expectation.

Only one to really call it out is me, and I couldn’t care less if Melbourne choke

I think United has under performed in the playoffs the past 2 years, so this choking talk doesn't spring from nowhere

2019 GF United came in full of confidence and got demolished. 2020 Semi finals Game 1 was a legit choke.

And, I personally disagree with this one since I rate SEM and have been vocal about that on here, but most people thought United would dispatch of SEM more easily than they did.

Travers out tonight

2016 was and will remain their biggest choke.

Totally disagree, 2016 wasn't a choke at all

Drew our bogey team in the semis being NZ, a rough, experienced group who smashed us on the boards, our bigs in Warrick and Kickert were old and soft

Plus we were over rated that whole season by virtue of starting 9-0, but if you look at the detail, those 9 wins contained a number of close ones where controversial decisions went our way late in the game (Majok blocking Beal at the buzzer, and CG pushing Webster, or was it Webster pushing CG and CG drew a foul by flopping? Can't quite remember the details)

Plus in 2016 we had a poor coach in Demopoulos, we basically had a one dimensional team that wasn't built for playoff basketball. Got the most out of Holt, and outside shooting was the strength with Kickert, CG but weaker on the inside. Majok helped a lot, we werent quite the donut team we were in 2014-15 when Kickert played C, but NZ had a team that exploited United's weakness

I wasn't surprised in the slightest when battle ready NZ touched us up

No Cotton, no Travers, 1 legged Norton.

No chance. 20 point blowout incoming.

Just looked up 2016, my recollection was 100% correct, gave up 33 offensive boards across the 2 games against NZ

No surprises that was an issue with 2 of our main bigs Warrick and Kickert, especially Kickert, soft as butter.

And the other thing, 7 of those first 9 wins were at home. We were rated all year after that start, and probably undeservedly. We were lucky to be 9-0

Melbourne United have a history of going belly up in the finals almost every single year despite out-spending everyone. Long may that tradition continue!

Perth by 3

It was 18-10 1st vs 16-12 4th in a very even year

They even had a better percentage than us, and they were a battle hardened team full of veterans that had won loads of championships like Abercrombie, Vukona, Pledger, plus Wesley who was a hard nosed competitor

We had a soft team full of kids playing major roles (Holt, Majok, Blanchfield) and a coach who wasnt up to it. And a soft frontcourt

Perfect ingredients for a playoffs bomb out. Definitely not a choke.

I said- 2019 we under performed, not a choke as such though. The only real choke wouldve been 2020 SF Game 1. That was a debacle. Terrible.

And from memory, in 2017 we should've made playoffs but blew our chances with a couple of late regular season losses. So maybe you can throw that in there. Will have to check the record books to refresh me on that one.

"Let's be honest here though, series hasn't started yet so there isn’t even a hint of choking, so it’s bizarre for that to even be mentioned."

It doesn't need to have started to be a choke. When a team is far and away better and expected to beat the other team, if they lose is a choke, smh. You're going by your own interpretation, I'll post a definition again.

'In sports, choking is the failure of a person, or persons, to act or behave as anticipated or expected. This can occur in a game or tournament that they are strongly favoured to win, or in an instance where they have a large lead that they squander in the late stages of the event'

Here...'This can occur in a game or tournament that they are strongly favoured to win, or in an instance where they have a large lead'

But again, you gotta look at the details

If Blanchfield and Steindl each hit 5 3s a game over the outstretched arms of quality defenders in the right positions, you just say congrats

So the question is WHY didn't things go as "expected". There's many possible reasons

"So the question is WHY didn't things go as "expected". There's many possible reasons"

Well you can say that about any sporting choke in history before it happened, as the teams currently stand, it's a choke, I'm not sure why it's so hard to comprehend?!?

$1.15 favourites which has prob come in even more now since the Travers news. The only way it can be not a choke is if the equivalent of what has happened to the Cats happens to United during the series. If Landale and Hopson/Goulding get injured so they can't play any more and Cats win, then yeah, it's not a choke on United's side. But as the teams stand now, choke city if United lose.

" You're going by your own interpretation, I'll post a definition again"

You're missing the point, and gaining nothing from posting definitions you googled.

It would be like me saying Perth could choke by being up 2-0, up in game 3 by 20 points and finding a way to lose the series.

There isn’t a hint of it occurring - yet - so why bring it up?

We could play the choke hypothetical game in a gazillion ways.

It’s every bit possible that Perth take advantage of two games at home, put themselves in the front seat and proceed to choke the series.

Melbourne aren’t Milwaukee, I don’t really think they’re perennial chokers, so I don’t see why reputation would put a choke tag on them.

Similarly, Perth playing two home games to start is a fair advantage so if Melbourne did split those or go down 0-2, it wouldn’t exactly be a 76ers level choke.

It just stinks of trying to set up false expectations to goad.

Also seems like you're trying to make yourself feel better if your team fails.

Which is kind of ridiculous since Perth are so successful and highly competitive, it’s worth trying a dose of optimism.

Just don’t be create an intolerable fog of smugness if your team does win.

I'm not goading anyone, and will be at the home games supporting the Cats with every intention that we will likely lose the series, like I said in previous posts, we've already exceeded expectations in my eyes so I'll feel good knowing we just gave it a crack. If we take one game then that'll be great, if we get swept, congrats to United, the best team all year won and we move onto next year.

There are no false expectations here, United have been the title favourites since before the season began, with most media/journalists/analysts saying something would have to go terribly wrong for them to not win the title.

You're making a lot of assumptions about me, but if the teams didn't involve United or Perth, but they were both in the same situation I'd still call it a choke if the 9/10 favourite lost the series. I'm not a one-eyed Cats supporter, I don't hate United.

Anyway, I give up on the topic. Good luck to both teams.

Imagine the epic choke it would be now if United don't manage to get it done.

FWIW Senator11 makes a well balanced post! Few and far between on this forum.

And .... here .... we .... GO !

Surprisingly MEL are only -4.5pt favourites.

Pretty sparse in here.

Away choking!

Oh my Magnay, what upper body strength.

Too much upper body strength on that one though.

Commentators sat defense on top. Really? Poor shooting I say. Landale air ball from 10 feet

That tool in the white jacket behind the United bench - wow, really?

Landale illegal screens nearly every play and United still can't use it properly

Damn, that Blanchfield three would've been huge.

Unbelievable by the Cats. 11 players used (poor Britt), nullifying Landale and managing to lead.
United depth should still come through.

1st qtr cats had to work extremely hard for their points. 2nd qtr united were incredibly lazy but couldn't capitalise and missed wide open shots.

Good first half from Wildcats. You'd think Melbourne run over the top of them but you never know. Worthy leaders at half time

Gleeson giving a master class to Vickerman so far. When will United start playing as a team? Otherwise, they might as well give it to Hopson and everyone else get the f out of the way

Yeh Landale. Big game. First of the final series & really missing in action again. Hopefully he improves in the second half

Unbelievable spirit shown by Gleeson and the Wildcats to start the series.

Goulding even admitted United are lucky to not be further behind.

Lowest half Time score by United this season. Wow.

Is Baba injured? He was defensively awesome against Cotton during the year. Would've had him chasing Blanchfield

United getting schooled

Since United can't stop Blanchfield, it must be time for United to run some plays to get him fouled out. Get him defending Hopson and it won’t take long.

KWhite started well but is now a huge liability.

You said it, #492

Flop city

Argh, Goulding with a dagger there to finish the quarter.

Steindl looks out for the game too. Norton barely played that qtr.

Perth have no starters left. United can have the asterix this year.

Trev losing it.

Get's away with more whinging, screaming, cussing, moaning that any coach in the league.

Get that he tries to take the heat for his team but damn he carries on like a pork chop

However good a coach Gleeson might be, his sideline incessant complaining and moaning like a petulant child is soooooo embarrassing to him, his team, the organisation and the league. Just T him up in the first 12 seconds of the game after his first 5 year old petulant outburst and he might stop trying to ref the game and get back to coaching..... Can't even.....

Stiendl with a groin issue so he's out for the rest of the game.

So many injuries yet somehow we're close.

Anon 516.... either Vickerman isn't as loud as Gleeson, or from what I can observe, Vickerman is communicaitng to his team... Sure, every coach works the refs over, but Trev has always been next level and is just an embarrassment....

Kevin White.... currently -17 on court.... another embarrassment....

Gleeson works the ref like no other coach.

See Incredible the NBL tell us.

I'm seeing it right now. How are we even in this? Keven White is our starting PG.

Perth will get a call the other end now.

And he complains like a goose when White and Magnay both hack Landale... he seriously has no perspective.... Face palm....

OMG

The United choke is on. Perth have half a squad left and they only win by 3.

Good game - have to respect Perth for that.
They had their chances too.
Last 3 or 4 plays needed a Blanchfield 3.

3 more free throws going in.. 3 less turnovers.. what might have been.

well done United. Won a game of 8 on 5 in Perth.

So proud of this team.

What a scrap at the end. United almost ran out the clock without Perth trying a thing before the fluke steal. On paper, the Cats had no business being within 10 points yet were a chance at OT.

Great finals campaign by Blanchfield so far.

No cotton, Travers, norto hurt, steindle hurt and got within 3. Proud of the Cats. On to Sunday.

perth's system and scrappy nature will always keep them in it, hence why scrubs like K. White can get a game with them, especially with the advantage of a ravenous home crowd. Props to them for such, but I'm thinking United in 3....

23 free throws to six.

Fuck off Anonymous idiot.

Shane Heal's prediction of this being an all-time worst series loss is already wrong after one game. What an absolute loser he is, and to think he's in the media.

Credit to Perth for disrupting United so effectively, and being so close at the end.

Congrats to United. Too good.

But man.... I could barely be more proud of the Cats. To push it that close with no Cotton, no Travers, half a Norton, and then losing Steindl as well. Huge effort. What a team.

Perthworld is proud LOL...

Love finals basketball! Proud of both teams United on the road with COVID and Perth undermanned and yet both teams put an unbelievable display of a game!

Perth had their chance but you need luck to win championships and unfortunately United had that this evening!

With Covid and everything you got to be proud of both teams how they went about their business!

Luuc is proud LOL...

Quit it guys! Stop being so proud or anon's head will explode not bring able to comprehend it.

Feel like that was the Cat's best shot at a win. They looked absolutely wrecked at the end.
Could get ugly in game 2.

Perf were awesome, an incredible culture that was on full display tonight. Would have loved to see them get up, alas Melbourne too deep.

Not sure Perf can get back up for game 2 with their current situation, really needed that one to have a realistic chance. Another asterisk title for Melbourne on the way!

I never said that.

Shit, sorry, I should have caught up on everything before posting.
I'm ashamed. The team is a disgrace and I'm burning my membership card because we are losers. Also I am salty af.

I'm so thirsty right now.

Unbelieveable effort by the cats. If they didn't turn the ball over so much and made their free throws it could have been a different result.

They threw absolutely everything at them and really needed to win that first game to have a chance this series i believe.

Perth looked cooked and with travers and steindl most likely out next game it would take something monumental to not lose by more than 10 on sunday

Damn, at least we left it all out there. Great game, feeling from both sides. Prob worse we were so close at the end. Steindl looks done, felt like Vickerman got some good rest into his team with Landale off for big chunks. Think we'd be gassed now especially cos of injuries. If Travers is back in on Sunday he'll have to pull a KD playoff game to get us back to 1-1.

Not much margin for error against United. Need to be almost Perfect. We just couldn't Perform quite well enough. The defence got Perforated a bit too often and our execution was Perfunctory.

Was always going to be a close game, the doomsayers can rest knowing the top two teams are going to provide a series worthy of top two sides.

Expect more close games, the NBL has never been better

A very good perspective from you KET - overall it was a really enjoyable game and hopefully the battle continues to be a competitive one.

That was a gutsy effort by Perth. Down 3 players yet competed until the last second. Respect.

Perth were probably the better team for the majority of the game. But when you lack fire-power, you need to be in control for most of the game to get a win. United only needed 5 or 10 minutes to break it open.

Let's wait until the end of the series before comparing Perth and SEM.

Perth haven't beaten United yet. SEM did- by double figures.

Factoring injuries though I agree, great game by Perth tonight.

I thought we were cooked when United were up by 7 the first time, very surprised we hung in there.

Landale played, but was fouled out. Different to not playing. He played about half his normal minutes actually- 14 compared to 28.

SEM beat United missing Sykes, Broekhoff and Gibson. Ie 2 starters and a bench rotation guy.

(United was without Hopson).

"Missing" Broekhoff to be technically correct, without Broekhoff

Wow, United had 17 more shots than us! Didn't realise that.

Yeah the O boards killed us!! It seemed like every long rebound kept falling Uniteds way and guys like goulding and barlow only needed a bit of daylight on the perimeter and were deadly

'What's with the vitriol in this thread?'

Seems like a common theme on hoops.

Was a fantastic game live, I forgot how loud the arena gets. Atmosphere was amazing, you could feel the crowd willing the cats shots in. Landale copper it from the crowd after his flop and he played up to it calling for the crows to keep it coming. Great game! Seeing lots of Twitter posts bitching about how bad the game was. Don't think it was for cats or United fans I would've thought.

The other killer was our FT shooting, guys like Blanchfield and Norton uncharacteristically missing multiple shots.

Man that was close down the stretch. Found myself actually rooting for Perth in the fourth.

Good seeing Blanchfield's career come back. First time he's even remotely played in a system and role like that since the Townsville days. Good for him

Cracking Game, but also bloody frustrating.
Cats probably won (marginally) most of the game, except for that chunk of the 3rd quarter when MU ripped em a new one. 29 points in a GF, that's an exceptional quarter of basketball.

Perth plays to a system, and mostly it works, but we really needed to have a plan to stop Goulding and Landale. Mooney has been fantastic all season, but Landale has had the better of him in most of our encounters.

Ultimately 17 turnovers, and only 7 o-boards, is going to burn you.
And whilst Blanchfield was fantastic, flogging him for 35 minutes burnt us at the f/t line.

For all the about MU being "star-studded" you have to give full credit to both these teams for amazing seasons excelling with what they had.

I really wanted Perth to win these two games, because I thought that would have set the rest of the series up. I hope that Travers can bounce back for a win on Sunday, because at least that will push the series to 4 games.

Like pretty much everything this season, it threatened to be interesting but we ended up with the completely predictable result anyway.

Game 2 odds have opened roughly the same as Game 1, fatigue and even more injuries haven't been factored in it seems.

I note that GM1 had the same person miss a wide open shot close to the buzzer as they did earlier in the season... ;)

Fun stat from @NBLFacts on twitter

Game one was the first Grand Final game played in NBL history which had no USA born players score at least 10-points in the match.
(115 Championship series games played in total)
#NBL21

Fair call. Extremely questionable choice of word by me there!

I've never seen a league where 3pt shooters get fouled so often than the last few years of the NBL. Players should get dragged for fouling the shooter, no real excuse except for lazy defence.

collection of flops rewarded for United???