DrinkWise game preview - Playoffs game two: Wildcats v United

The six-time NBL champion and Wildcats games-record holder, who has more than 500 games of experience, doesn’t think a lot needs to be changed to square the best-of-three series at 1-1 and force a decider in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The experienced veteran was an important contributor in game one with six points, four rebounds and a team-high plus-minus of 10 in a little under seven minutes on court.

“We are who we are and they are who they are,” Wagstaff explained.

“We're not going to change too much, I mean we're 30 games into the season.

“We're going to make little tweaks here and there and take care of our bodies and watch some film and do what we've been doing all year, and have a good shoot around on Saturday and hopefully come out and put a good performance in and win a basketball game, right, and keep this series alive.

“it's not crazy rocket science, like we don't have to change too much.

“We’ve just got to tidy up a few things and hopefully get a win.”

Wagstaff doesn’t think United’s impressive record at RAC Arena, winning 10 of their last 11 games at the venue including both this season, would be a major factor in the result on Saturday.

“If they won there four years ago, I don’t think it has too much relevance,” Wagstaff said.

“Those records are all cool. It’s probably only somewhat relevant this season. But even then it is play-offs right now. It’s a brand new season. It was two or three months. Teams change. Identity changes. I certainly don’t buy too much into that.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United

When: 5pm WST Saturday 1 March

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Opposition watch

Melbourne United remarkably have a better away record (10-4) than they do at home (10-6) in NBL25.

They’ve also won all four games against the WIldcats this season, two at RAC Arena and two at John Cain Arena.

Captain Chris Goulding is their leading offensive player, with import Ian Clark and big men Marcus Lee and Jack White also capable of match-winning performances.

At the defensive end, Shea Ili is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and White is a rebounding machine.

Last time they met

United took game one of the series on Thursday night thanks to a Chris Goulding three-point masterclass.

Goulding hit an equal finals record of 10 triples in his 41-point haul to lead the home side to a 105-93 win at John Cain Arena.

Keanu Pinder top-scored with a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double, while fellow big man Kristian Doolittle (22 points, nine rebounds and three assists) wasn’t far behind.

Five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton made the most of his opportunities, finishing with 22 points including four of five from long-range, while skipper Jesse Wagstaff (six points, four rebounds and four fouls drawn) was in everything whenever he was on the court.