Chris Goulding is set to make his return from injury as a stacked Melbourne United roster travel west for a blockbuster with back-to-back champions the Perth Wildcats. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30pm (AEDT).
The star point guard is yet to hit the floor this season, having his appendix taken out on the opening day. However, all reports suggest he will return for the road game, with Casey Prather also likely to play.
Prather, who has been part of the Wildcats last two championships and was a large reason for their dominance, went down with a leg injury last week but is expected to not miss any time for United.
With the two stars on court, Melbourne, who lost to Oklahoma City in the NBLxNBA series by just a point, will be at full strength for the first time this season. Of course, with their loaded roster, it hasn’t slowed them down in the slightest, the club sitting with a perfect 2-0 record.
More impressive is that they have picked up two road wins, going past the Adelaide 36ers in both games. This one is expected to be a much tougher challenge, even if Adelaide have displayed some positive early form.
Perth are also off a 2-0 start to the season, but have had it in a more comfortable fashion with a pair of home games and no major injury complaints.
Matty Knight has been battling, but they have been close to full strength and it’s shown with ten-point wins over the Brisbane Bullets and then Illawarra Hawks in last week’s grand final rematch.
Perth were particularly impressive in defence last week, limiting a Hawks side who at one point had the lead. They put the brakes on in the second half though and will need to do similar against Melbourne, who are rated by many as the most dangerous side in the competition offensively.
Whichever way it goes, the last four games have been decided by three points or less, so expect another close one.
Prediction
This is outrageously difficult to tip. Ordinarily, Melbourne are stronger on paper but there is no tougher trip in the league than this one. With the form of Goulding and Prather an unknown quantity, the back-to-back defending champions are favourites and rightfully so.
We could get some overtime here.
Wildcats by 4.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that's going to do it here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017-18 NBL Season as the Perth Wildcats took a victory over Melbourne United in what has undoubtedly been the game of the season so far. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. The Roar will be back in Round 4 on Thursday Night with the Brisbane Bullets set to host the New Zealand Breakers at 7:30pm (AEDT). I'll also be live on Sunday from 7pm (AEDT) with the A-League as Perth host the Central Coast. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
Perth remain as the only undefeated team in the NBL then halfway through Round 3.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Angus Brandt is man of the match with 16 points on 7 of 9 shooting to go with six rebounds.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Wildcats are victorious at the jungle by just five points. An awesome game of Basketball that as the Wildcats dribble the time out. The 13,000 strong crowd at the Jungle burst into full voice, and there's a reason these two sides are predicted to face off in the grand final. The last two hours have shown us that much, and let's hope we get to see this battle eight more times before this season is out, with a five-game grand final series. Wildcats - 89 United - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Adnam goes baseline, evading a challenge with Brandt by kicking across to Moller who shoots and has it blocked by Tokoto. From the inbound Adnam sinks a three. Wildcats - 89 United - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Cotton makes both. 26 seconds on the clock. Cotton will now sit down. Wildcats - 89 United - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Good defensive pressure, but the Wildcats again shape to run down the clock. A foul now an on the inbound it's Cotton on Adnam. It looked like a veteran versus a schoolboy and he will go to the line. This one is over now. Wildcats - 87 United - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Majok makes one. Wildcats - 87 United - 80
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Is that a concession of defeat? Prather and Ware both go for a sit down in the final minute. Seems weird only eight points down. Adnam into Majok anyway and he draws the foul. Wildcats - 87 United - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Wildcats slow it up again here, and they have done a great job taking time off the clock. Cotton to Martin and he misses out of the corner as Walker gets a hand on the ball before it heads over the baseline. Wildcats - 87 United - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Melbourne need stops here as the Wildcats run the clock down. Walker goes to work and Brandt will miss. A turnover for United though and that hurts as precious seconds continue to tick off the clock. Martin runs it again, then it's Tokoto with a missed three. Prather goes straight to work and turns it over. 1:19 on the clock, still an eight-point game. Wildcats - 87 United - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' From the inbound, it's Goulding to Wesley and he hits the three. Wildcats - 87 United - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Buckets both ways out of the time out before Cotton makes a very difficult bucket. Prather then gets fouled heading up the court. Wildcats - 87 United - 76
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Perth now have a ball tipped over the sideline. 8 seconds on the shot clock and we will have another timeout right here. Wildcats - 83 United - 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' United working it around now and Prather brings the lead back to single figures with a bit of space to get off a triple. Wildcats - 83 United - 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Timeout called by Melbourne as they try to save the save. Wildcats - 83 United - 71
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' United just haven't made the big plays here, and that's a turnover after Boone pulled down an offensive board. Ware goes to ground off the ball now and Cotton throws up a floater. The ball looked like it was going to fall in, but the points are waved away with Brandt hanging onto the rim - that's his first mistake of the night... Or it feels like that anyway. Wildcats - 83 United - 71
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Time ticking away for Melbourne now and here's another foul off the ball. United are getting frustrated, but there hasn't been much wrong with the refereeing. Game slipping, but Martin misses a shot fro the high post. Wildcats - 83 United - 71