United v Bullets in battle for top four
MELBOURNE United coach Dean Vickerman is hoping his squad can ride the momentum from Wednesday’s win over the Perth Wildcats all the way to an NBL semi-final berth.
Last season’s grand finalists came into the annual Australian Open game having lost five of their past six games to tumble out of the top four.
But under the open roof at Melbourne Arena, United outscored the Wildcats 26-13 in the opening quarter to set up the 10-point win and keep their quest for a third successive grand final appearance alive.
On a night where the league paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, Vickerman took pride in the way his players channelled their emotions in such a vital game.
“We wanted to be the first team to honour him in the NBL and I hope we did a good job as a club tonight,” Vickerman said after the 77-67 win.
“Our players all wore their little black bands and wrote different things on those to honour him.”
The result sees United improve to a 12-12 win-loss record, with their hot-and-cold performances over the course of the season making life difficult for the coach.
“This team is one of the craziest teams I’ve ever coached in terms of highs and lows,” Vickerman said.
Vickerman is under no illusions of the importance on Saturday’s away clash with fourth-placed Brisbane, labelling it as “a massive game” in the race for the finals.
“I think whoever is able to win that one really puts themselves a step ahead to gain fourth spot,” he said.