The Perth Wildcats sent an ominous warning to the rest of the NBL competition by smashing Melbourne United by 32 points 91-59.
The deficit was the largest in Melbourne United short history, beating out its previous worst – a 28-point loss in their very first game. Melbourne started the game well but once the Wildcats took the lead they never looked back.
The first quarter started strong for Melbourne while the Wildcats were struggling to score early, the strong tenacious defense that the Wildcats are known for kept them in the game early.
Once the Wildcats found their groove they started to smash United on all ends of the court. A 30 to 9 second quarter all but ended the United chances as Bryce Cotton and Lucas Walker dominated both sides of the court.
Chris Goulding really struggled for Melbourne tallying just two points for the entire game which were through free throws towards the end of the third quarter.
Melbourne showed some signs of life in the 3rd but some questionable foul calls prevented them from making any sort of major run to get back into the game.
The fourth quarter was lacklustre with neither team really trying to do much in fear of injuries to their main players, with over three minutes remaining both teams went deep into their bench for their players.
Damien Martyn suffered a dislocated finger while going for a steal however he was more than willing to get back onto the court in the final term but with the score out of reach of Melbourne he was put back on ice.
For Melbourne they have a lot of questions to answer with a talented squad like theirs they shouldn’t be getting blown out at home the way they were today.
For Perth it gives them confidence winning two games away from home in the round something that will hopefully spark their run towards another championship.
Casey Prather was the lone shining light for Melbourne scoring 20 points, Bryce Cotton led all scorers with 24.
Josh Boone with 12 and Derrick Cooke junior with 14 lead the rebounds for each side.
Despite the score from the Wildcats no player had more than two assists for either team.
Final score
Melbourne United 59
Perth Wildcats 91
Two of the premier powerhouses of the NBL will face off in a mouthwatering clash as Melbourne United take on Perth Wildcats. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 3pm AEDT.
The second game of the season between these two teams and the Melbourne United squad will look for revenge after a narrow defeat in the first game. Perth will be playing their second game of the round after a narrow five-point win over the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night.
With such a storied history between these two teams there is always some excitement when both squads take the floor against each other, add to it both teams will be wanting to continue their early season form and consolidate their top four spots.
Perth are coming off the five-point win to the Brisbane Bullets on Friday while the Melbourne United team are coming off a win of their own against the Kings in the previous round by 18 points.
Perth were dealt a blow to their season campaign during the week with one of the best big men in the league announcing his retirement effective immediately, Matthew Knight was a defensive stalwart for the Wildcats in the majority of their recent championships and his loss could be a big blow later on down the stretch of this season.
Damien Martyn vs Chris Goulding looks to be an interesting matchup with one of the best scoring players in the league today facing up against the best defensive player the league has quite possibly seen.
If Martyn can neutralise the impact of Goulding it will go a long way to stopping the United team.
Casper Ware will face up against his former side for the second time this year as the former Wildcats player will look to use his insider knowledge against the reigning champions.
Prediction
This game could shape up to be one of the games of the season and with both teams at near full strength there will be little excuses for the two teams if the scoreboard doesn’t go their way.
For the Wildcats this is the second game of a weekend road trip and some tired legs may come into play late in this game – however if there is one thing we know about Perth, it is count them out at your peril.
Melbourne will look to get the season series leveled back up while also staking their claim as a team who could be poised for a championship run.
Perth Wildcats by 3.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Perth hands Melbourne historic loss in a blowout. The Perth Wildcats sent an ominous warning to the rest of the NBL competition by smashing Melbourne United by 32 points 91-59. The deficit was the largest in Melbourne United short history, beating out it's previous worst a 28 point loss in their very first game. Melbourne started the game well but once the Wildcats took the lead they never looked back. The first quarter started strong for Melbourne while the Wildcats were struggling to score early, the strong tenacious defense that the Wildcats are known for kept them in the game early. Once the Wildcats found their groove they started to smash United on all ends of the court. A 30 to 9 2nd quarter all but ended the United chances as Bryce Cotton and Lucas Walker dominated both sides of the court. Chris Goulding really struggled for Melbourne tallying just 2 points for the entire game which were through free throws towards the end of the 3rd quarter. Melbourne showed some signs of life in the 3rd but some questionable foul calls prevented them from making any sort of major run to get back into the game. The fourth quarter was lacklustre with neither team really trying to do much in fear of injuries to their main players, with over 3 minutes remaining both teams went deep into their bench for their players. Damien Martyn suffered a dislocated finger while going for a steal however he was more than willing to get back onto the court in the final term but with the score out of reach of Melbourne he was put back on ice. For Melbourne they have a lot of questions to answer with a talented squad like theirs they shouldn't be getting blown out at home the way they were today . For Perth it gives them confidence winning 2 games away from home in the round something that will hopefully spark their run towards another championship. Casey Prather was the lone shining light for Melbourne scoring 20 points, Bryce Cotton lead all scorers with 24. Josh Boone with 12 and Derrick Cooke Jr with 14 lead the rebounds for each side. Despite the score from the Wildcats no player had more than 2 assists for either team.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Game over. Melbourne absolutely no match for the Wildcats at home. final score Perth defeats Melbourne 91-59. Bryce Cotton leads all scorers with 24 points. Derek Cooke jr had a game high 14 rebounds. 3 players had 2 assists a piece.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cooke jnr scores for Perth. Melbourne 59 Perth 89. 30 seconds left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Looks like this could be United largest losing margin in their history currently down by 31, previous worst was 28 in their first game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
3 pointer for Smith Millner for Melbourne. Melbourne 56 Perth 85. 2:30 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Majok Mjok fouls out and both teams have gone to their bench squads. Melbourne 53 Perth 84. 3:03 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Melbourne 53 Perth 83.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton scores a free throw. Melbourne 51 Perth 83. 3:38 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cooke jr goes for the highlight dunk completely messes it up but recovers to lay it in. Melbourne 51 Perth 82.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton continuing to play hard as the game comes to a close. Melbourne 51 Perth 80. 4:20 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Casper Ware goes for a layup and gets his shot swatted by Cook. That sort of day for Melbourne. Melbourne 51 Perth 78.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Damien Martyn dislocated his finger going for a steal and then tries to get back into the game he is tough. Melbourne 49 Perth 76 6:41 final quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Prather with a 2. Melbourne 49 Perth 76.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton at the free throw line. Makes 1. Melbourne 47 Perth 76. 7:18 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Damien Martyn with a 3 to get things going in the final term. Melbourne 47 Perth 75. 8:24 left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goulding fouled right at the buzzer and he will go to the line to try and score his first points of the game. Makes both. Perth 47 Melbourne 72 end of the 3rd q.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Jarrod Kenny makes the free throw for Perth. Melbourne 45 Perth 70. 31 seconds remains 3rd q.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
A lot of flopping from the Wildcats in this game. Cotton goes to the free throw line and makes 1. Melbourne 45 Perth 69. 1:12 remains 3rd q.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Prather is at the free throw line and he makes both shots. Melbourne 45 Perth 66 1:55 remains in the 3rd.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Cotton misses the 3 point shot but gets his own rebound and scores off a nice little tear drop. Melbourne 41 Perth 64 3:00 remains in the 3rd.