DrinkWise game preview: Round 12 - Perth Wildcats v Melbourne United

The Wildcats fly out on Friday ahead of a three-game, eight-day stint on the road, which includes games in Cairns (on Boxing Day) and Adelaide (on December 28).

First up is ladder leader United, who have a league-best record of 13-3 and a prolific offence which has posted 100-plus points five games in a row.

The rivals are one win apiece in their two encounters this season with Perth claiming a stunning overtime victory at John Cain Arena last time around after United prevailed at RAC Arena.

“My approach and our team’s approach to this will be we have to play at the pace that suits us,” Rillie said.

“They’re playing phenomenally efficient offence and they’re doing a great job at the defensive end. When you’re playing both at an efficient level, one complements the other.

“So we have to find a balance of disrupting them offensively so we can propel our own offence.

“We have to be playing with momentum. If we’re allowing their defence to slow us up, that’s to their advantage. They have two excellent guys that can do that in (Shea) Ili and (Matthew) Dellavedova."

Corey Webster’s X-Factor off the bench will be missed by the Wildcats, with the veteran sharpshooter ruled out with an ankle injury.

The Wildcats are aiming for their eighth win in nine games, a remarkable feat considering they were 2-5 at one stage.

Rillie has been impressed with his team’s ability to “find different ways to win”, highlighted by last Friday night’s one-point victory over Tasmania at home after coming back from 16 points down.

“I think when we’ve been on this good run, we’ve found different ways to win,” he said.

“You use the word luck, I say we execute or we believe in ourselves in that moment.

“This team has shown resilience, just to find ways to win games. As long as we give ourselves a chance in those situations, every team need a little luck.”

Game Details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United

When: 5pm WST Saturday 23 December

Where: John Cain Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Opposition watch

Melbourne United are atop the NBL ladder, four wins ahead of the second-placed Sydney Kings and third-placed Wildcats.

United’s scoring power has been a big reason behind their dominant campaign to date.

Their depth is another factor, with seven players reaching double digits in their past two games.

Former Wildcat Luke Travers comes up against his old side once again and is in good touch, averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in NBL24.

Last time they met

The Wildcats prevailed 102-95 in an overtime epic at John Cain Arena back in Round 6.

Bryce Cotton (24 points), Kristian Doolittle (18), Alex Sarr (17), Jordan Usher (12) and Keanu Pinder (11) all reached double digits for Perth.

Doolittle enjoyed his best game as a Wildcat, with his stat line also including seven rebounds and five assists.