This is why you play

The Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff has spoken of the importance of landing the first punch in a Grand Final series.

Perth host Melbourne United for the first two games of the best-of-five series, which begins at RAC Arena on Friday night.

“I’m excited. This is why you play basketball, for the chance to compete for a championship. It’s an exciting time of year,” he said.

“The first two, even the first one, is very important. But anything can change, it’s the type of year it’s been, you have to adjust and roll with the punches. I think we’ve been pretty good at that all year.”

Wagstaff is playing for a record seventh title, but many of his teammates will be looking for their first ring.

He had a message for those players.

“I think you have to enjoy it first and foremost, it’s a cliché but playoffs are a different season. What happened in the regular season doesn’t really count. The intensity goes up, possession means a whole lot more,” he said.

“So just enjoy it, do your role, nothing really changes in terms of what you’ve got to do. Just the intensity goes up.”

Perth and Melbourne have been the best two teams, not only this season, but in recent history, combining to take out the last five titles.

This season, United edged out Perth in their five contests with three wins to the Wildcats two.

Home crowds at RAC Arena and John Cain Arena have only witnessed opposition teams come away with the win.

The Wildcats are playing for their first ever three-peat and their 11^th NBL title.

Game One tips off at 6.30pm at RAC Arena on Friday night.

Tickets are available here.