NBL: Win over Perth would give Melbourne United huge minor premiership boost, but coach only thinking about top four

MELBOURNE United coach Dean Demopoulos may not want to discuss it, but a road win in Perth on Friday night would be a big step towards securing the NBL minor premiership.

Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans and State Hockey and Netball Centre. Melbourne United coach Dean Demopoulos talks Nate Tomlinson . Pic: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE United coach Dean Demopoulos may not want to discuss it, but a road win in Perth on Friday night would be a big step towards securing the NBL minor premiership.

United is second on the ladder with an identical 16-8 win-loss record to ladder leader Perth, with the winner of ­tonight’s match to claim the season series.

It looms as a big showdown, but, with four games ­left, ­Demopoulos is interested only in securing enough wins to ­finish in the top four.

“Mathematically are we in (the finals) no matter what happens? So I don’t think about it until then,” he said.

United has beaten the Wildcats in Melbourne twice this season, but it was thrashed in its previous trip west on a night guard Jermaine Beal scored 40 points.

Stopping Beal and crashing the boards will be the keys ­tonight.

United continues to give up too many offensive rebounds, highlighted in last week’s 90-81 loss in Adelaide.

The 36ers won the rebound count 44-32 and Demopoulos admitted it was a concern.

“It has been an achilles heel for us all year long,” he said.

“Unless we improve on that and keep working hard at it and do a better job at it, an outcome like that (against Adelaide) is a reasonable thing to expect.”

Melbourne must show more intent ­after its poor display against the 36ers.

Fourth quarters have been a problem this season, and the 36ers won last Friday night on the back of a 22-9 final term.

“They outmuscled us, they outmanned us, they were more physical and they beat us,” ­Demopoulos said.

“Full credit to them, but I was disappointed with my group.”

While confidence might dip after the loss, Demopoulos vowed his team would not be scared to shoot three-pointers.

“We like to take open shots,” he said.

“We like to take good shots, but we don’t mind shooting fast as long as they’re good.

“That’s always been our philosophical approach.”

Originally published as NBL: Win over Perth would give Melbourne United huge minor premiership boost, but coach only thinking about top four