Melbourne United out to keep its NBL 20 season alive against Cairns Taipans
Melbourne United hatched plans to bring Cairns Taipans months and weeks before tonight’s showdown at Melbourne Arena — but the desperation is palpable as they face a pair of cut throat final-round matches.
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Melbourne United just knew — be it in the finals or sooner — it would run into Cairns Taipans eventually in a “win or go home” situation.
The trap was set months ago, it ramped up two weeks ago, and, Thursday night at Melbourne Arena, comes down to execution as United looks to keep its season alive.
United has not yet beaten the Snakes this season from three prior attempts by a combined losing margin of 11 points.
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A fourth loss effectively ends the club’s season.
Melbourne slipped from first to second in the last round of the regular season last year after a loss to then wooden spoon-bound Taipans and the result burns United coach Dean Vickerman still.
“For some of us that still hurts, to knock us out of the play-offs (now) we just can’t let that happen,” Vickerman said.
“I don’t think I’ll talk about it with the group, it’s something that not everybody was a part of that, it’s something that it hurt me and a few of the guys that were there.
“Obviously Melo (Trimble) was on the other side and had a great game in that one (but) he wants to beat his old team … I’m sure he’ll come out and play great.”
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Preparations for the Cairns match-up started last November when United booked back-up centre Alex Pledger in for ankle surgery.
The giant seven-footer had carried the injury for some time but Vickerman pulled the trigger, desperate to get Pledger healthy and match fit in time to combat Taipans enforcer Nate Jawai.
As brilliant and consistent as Shawn Long has been for Melbourne, the athletic double-double machine tips the scales a whopping 24kg lighter than Jawai.
With Pledger up and going attention shifted to slumping Trimble, who needed a spark after a run of inconsistent performances.
A big breakfast was the backdrop for Vickerman, Trimble and Mitch McCarron to nut out what could be the season-defining role reversal.
In the two matches off the bench since the secret meeting, Trimble has posted a season-high in points (36) in one and season-high assists (nine) in the other.
“He’s a great kid and to accept the role like he has …. (he knows) it’s best for him and best for the team,” Vickerman said.
“Something I’ve learnt the last few years is the combination of people that do things better together, whether you start or don’t start it’s about finishing the game.”
UNITED v TAIPANS
7.30pm Thursday night at Melbourne Arena
Live on ESPN and SBS OnDemand
BETTING
Head-to-Head
United $1.50
Taipans $2.60
Line
United -4.5 $1.90
Taipans +4.5 $1.90
Source: TAB
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Desperation to get United across the line against a team already qualified for the post-season. United by 10