DrinkWise NBL26 Play-In Game Preview: Wildcats vs United

The NBL26 Finals continues at RAC Arena on Saturday night as the Perth Wildcats host Melbourne United in an elimination Play-In Game, with the winner earning a trip to Sydney to face the Kings. 

The Wildcats return home to the Red Army determined to respond after Wednesday night’s defeat to SEM Phoenix in Melbourne, where they'll be looking to keep their championship hopes alive in The Jungle. 

Perth finished the regular season as one of the form teams in the competition, winning 10 of their final 12 games to secure a top four finish and put themselves in the mix for another deep finals run. With the season now on the line, the Wildcats will be out to rediscover the defensive intensity and ball security that defined their run home.

Head coach John Rillie said the group is embracing the moment and the chance to bounce back in front of their fans.

“You’ve got the excitement and then part of it is the disappointment of the way we performed and the ability to bounce back tomorrow,” Rillie said.

“That’s why you play the regular season, to give yourself these opportunities. We come home and play in front of our own fans and both teams understand what’s on the line.”

For Rillie, the emphasis remains firmly on the Wildcats controlling what they can after a performance he described as uncharacteristic.

“It just comes down to us executing how we feel like we can. We had way too many careless turnovers the other night, so that won’t be a problem this time.”

Perth will lean on the defensive identity that saw them finish the regular season as the league’s number one ranked defence in a key statistical category.

“We played 33 games and in one of the statistical categories we finished the number one defence in the league,” Rillie said.

“That’s been a constant, we’ve shown great resolve around those moments this season and I don’t expect anything less tomorrow.”

Melbourne United arrive in Perth after a hard fought elimination win over the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday night.

Finn Delany led the way for United with 33 points and six rebounds, along with Milton Doyle who added 19 points, six assists and five rebounds while knocking down five three pointers.

With the Red Army set to pack RAC Arena, the Wildcats will look to feed off the home crowd and deliver the type of performance that has defined the club throughout its championship history.

“If I take anything out of today’s practice, everyone’s excited to bounce back,” Rillie said.

“And us being able to do that at RAC in front of our fans will be a terrific moment. It’s the point of the year where all these things come into play, but it’s exciting and that’s why you play the sport.”

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW RED ARMY

NBL26 FINALS PLAY-IN GAME:
Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United.
Date: Saturday, 7 March
Time: 5:00pm AWST
Venue: RAC Arena