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Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United |
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2018-19 NBL semi-finals, Game 1 |
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Venue: Perth Arena, Perth, WA | ||
Match time: Fulltime | ||
Perth Wildcats | Brisbane Bullets | |
89 | SCORE | 59 |
23 | Q1 | 16 |
18 | Q2 | 24 |
30 | Q3 | 15 |
18 | Q4 | 4 |
The all-dominant Perth Wildcats will look to make their quest of getting back to the grand final easier when they take on the Brisbane Bullets in Game 1 of the semi-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:20pm (AEDT).
This is a series of contrasting storylines.
The Wildcats haven’t missed a finals series since 1986. It gives them one of the best records in the league, and with their massive home-crowd advantage, it’s not hard to see why. At the same time, they are out for revenge this year after being bundled out of the semi-finals by the Adelaide 36ers last year.
The Bullets, on the other hand, have returned to the finals for the first time since they were re-admitted to the competition, making it their first finals run since 2008, when they had one of the best teams to ever step on an NBL court.
Throughout the year, when the two sides have met, the home side has taken every encounter, and on the surface at least, it shows just what an even match-up this is.
However, digging further, the contrasting styles on display should suit Perth down to the ground in high-pressure, finals basketball.
As they always have done while Trevor Gleeson has been in charge and Damian Martin is manning the point, the Wildcats play a griding style which is built on the back of their defence.
When it comes to finals, the old saying, ‘defence wins matches,’ rings true and the Bullets will need to up their output on that side of the court if they are to pull off a surprise upset, with finding a way to stop Bryce Cotton the top priority.
As much as they need to defend well, the Bullets can’t afford to fall into the trap of playing Perth-style basketball. They need to find guys open beyond the arc and look for the fastbreak through Lamar Patterson and Cameron Bairstow whenever possible.
On top of that, the real battle might be in the paint, as Angus Brandt and Matt Hodgson square off. The winner of that, and the better player on the boards, might take their team a long way to winning.
Prediction
This is in Perth, so it’d be a fools game to tip against them, especially given the way Brisbane have gone about their business this season.
Wildcats by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Game 1 in this NBL semi-final series from 10:20pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Tip-off: 10:20pm (AEDT)
Venue: Perth Arena, Perth
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo sports
Betting: Wildcats $1.35, Bullets $3.20
Season series: Wildcats 2 – Bullets 2 *home team won each game
Perth Wildcats (expected)
Point guard: Daniel Martin
Shooting guard: Bryce Cotton
Small forward: Greg Hire
Power forward: Nick Kay
Centre: Angus Brandt
Bench: Mitch Norton, Terrico White, Jesse Wagstaff, Clint Steindl, Tom Jervis, Rhys Vague
Brisbane Bullets (expected)
Point guard: Adam Gibson
Shooting guard: Jason Cadee
Small forward: Lamar Patterson
Power forward: Cameron Bairstow
Centre: Matt Hodgson
Bench: Cameron Gliddon, Mika Vukona, Reuben Te Rangi, Jeremy Kendle, Will Magnay, A.J. Davis
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, I didn't think it was the right call either...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening for our live coverage of the NBL semi-finals. Hopefully you enjoyed both this call, and the Sydney Kings up against Melbourne United earlier. I'll be back for Game 3 in both series, should they get that far, but over the weekend, be sure to tune in as Sam Walker brings coverage of Game 2, with this series at 2:50pm (AEDT) on Saturday, and the Kings-United Game 2 at 2:20pm (AEDT) on Sunday. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate - as do I. Thanks for being on board.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, absolutely, but from a Perth point of view, you don't want another two-day turnaround before G3 - that's gonna be tough to back up for the grand final when it's long flights each way.
Damo
Guest
Thanks for the call and chat Scott. Get some sleep and I hope the Kings show up for you on the weekend!
Damo
Guest
Didn't even hit a 3??
Damo
Guest
Good contest until half time then the Cats did take that step up, offensively and defensively and it was good night nurse. You have to shoot like Steph Curry if you wanna beat Perth from the arc, especially at home. The short turn around makes thing interesting on Saturday bit if it goes to G3 I can't see Brisbane getting it done in Perth.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Here is a stat Brisbane fans won't be enjoying - their four points tonight is the lowest fourth-quarter score in the history of the NBL, apparently.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bryce Cotton is man of the match in this 30-point beatdown.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That's the end of Game 1 in the West, and for the second time tonight, the home side have blown out their opposition to kick-off the NBL semi-finals. Perth and Melbourne on a collision course for the grand final. Wildcats - 89 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' And here we go. Both teams have cleaned out the bench now, and this one will just wind down. Wildcats - 86 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Cotton makes both. Wildcats - 86 Bullets - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Te Rangi with a miss, and we are now in blowout territory for the second time tonight as Cotton goes up the lane and draws a foul on the missed lay up. Wildcats - 84 Bullets - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' It's been a scrappy old fourth quarter. Only 13 points in it for the two sides so far. Dech now hits a three for the Wildcats. Wildcats - 84 Bullets - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yup. Confusing he hasn't already done it really.
Damo
Guest
Time for an old fashioned bench clean out.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' The Wildcats drop a couple of free throws, and we will have a timeout on the floor. Very strange the starters haven't been checked out yet. Wildcats - 81 Bullets - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' The Wildcats bringing it up the floor now, then it's Martin trying to hit a three. That's no good, and White commits the foul looking for the offensive board. Offensive foul as Brisbane come back up the floor as well. Wildcats - 79 Bullets - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Surely both teams take their starters out here. There's about to be a five-hour flight across the country and Game 2 tipping off in barely 38 hours time. Misses at both ends here. Wildcats - 79 Bullets - 58