NBL's top-two to finally clash

The Perth Wildcats will measure themselves against the NBL’s top-side when it meets Melbourne United on Wednesday.

Perth and Melbourne have been the NBL’s top-two teams since February, but are yet to meet each other in that time, having played twice prior.

“It’s a great measuring stick for us,” said Trevor Gleeson.

“Melbourne are on 11 games (won) in a row, obviously we have played them twice already here in Victoria early this season, so we haven’t seen them for a long time.

“Looking forward to the challenge, and measuring where we are in our season, where we need to get to and the guys are really anticipating a good game.”

After the NBL Cup earlier this season, Gleeson said Melbourne has become like a second home for the Perth Wildcats.

“We were here for six weeks, so it’s familiar ground, familiar training facility, same hotel, so hopefully the same result as we were playing pretty good basketball then.”

In their two games this season, the Wildcats and United shared the results, with both games being decided by just four points.

Bryce Cotton scored 24 and 29 points in those games, and averaged the most points against United of any NBL player this season.

He averages 26.7 at John Cain Arena over seven games this season.

Melbourne have won their last 11 games in a row which is a franchise best. 

The last team to win more consecutive games was the New Zealand Breakers who won 16 in a row between December 2012 and March 2013.

Tip-off on Wednesday is at 5.30pm on ESPN and SBS On Demand.