United hit by injuries for NBL season opener

MELBOURNE United will be without Boomers veteran David Barlow and possibly star import Casey Prather for its NBL season opener against newcomer South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The cross-city derby will open the season tonight at Melbourne Arena.

United coach Dean Vickerman confirmed big man Barlow (above) was out with a fractured thumb, while Prather failed to practise due to knee soreness. However the twotime championship winning mentor remains hopeful the American will play.

Prather, who helped United win its 2017-18 title before spending last season in Europe, has a history of knee trouble.

“Casey is a little bit of a concern as we felt we have managed him pretty well,” Vickerman said.

“He has very rarely done two days in a row and yesterday was a heavy session, so he was rested today and my expectation is that he will play.”

Vickerman said 35-year-old Barlow also wouldn’t travel to Perth for Saturday night’s game against the Wildcats or to the US for its NBLxNBA games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.

Kiwi Tohi Smith- Milner and NBL debutant Jo Lual-Acuil are set for more game time before Barlow returns in Round 3.

“Everyone has played in our league except Jo, and every time he has had a chance to play 20 minutes or more in preseason, he has averaged about 18 (points) and eight (rebounds),” Vickerman said.

“He’s going to play good minutes (tonight) and Tohi is playing the best basketball we’ve ever seen from him.

“Great world championships and he followed that form with a great game in Adelaide.”

Vickerman predicted the Phoenix, led by Boomers star Mitch Creek and coached by former United assistant Simon Mitchell, would be keen to make an opening statement.

“They’ve had a year to plan for this game and Simon’s a really detailed coach who would have done a great job in scouting us,” he said.

“There’s a lot of scoring on that team, a lot of shooting, and how well we can disrupt that will play a big part.”