United’s wait on big Josh

MELBOURNE United is sweating on the fitness of champion big man Josh Boone in the build-up to the National Basketball League grand final series against Adelaide starting on Friday at Hisense Arena.

The US import has been in stunning form, helping Melbourne power past four-time champion New Zealand and into the five-game championship deciding playoffs.

In Game 2 against the Breakers, Boone dropped a career-high 33 points and 15 rebounds, adding to his reputation as the league’s leading rebounder, and will be integral to winning United’s first title.

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said the former NBA player was battling an ankle injury.

“It’s just a niggly little high ankle injury,” Vickerman said of the 33-year-old.

“He got through practice today and I think by the time the game comes around he will be fine.”

United holds a 4-0 head-to- head record over the 36ers this season but those games were early on, with Vickerman saying both sides were now different beasts.

“They certainly challenge your bigs and in Adelaide you can certainly find yourself playing a bit smaller because your bigs are in foul trouble,” he said.

“Being able to limit their frees is one of the keys for us.”

Taking over at Melbourne this season, Vickerman brings a wealth of grand final experience, guiding the dominant Breakers to the title in 2014-15 before losing it the following year.

United also has six players with championship experience on its side while Adelaide doesn’t have any.

“This is my third grand final in a row as a head coach and I love being in this position,” Vickerman said.

“But the feeling of winning it to losing it still sticks heavily in my mind.

“We’ve ticked every box so far, but it’s going to be a fight this series.”