Melbourne United looking build on recent resurgence as they host Illawarra Hawks

SLAYING Illawarra’s “three-headed scoring monster” will be crucial if Melbourne United is to record its third consecutive NBL win.

Hakim Warwick of Melbourne during the Sydney Kings v Melbourne United NBL game at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, pic Mark Evans

SLAYING Illawarra’s “three-headed scoring monster” will be crucial if Melbourne United is to record its third consecutive NBL win tonight.

Melbourne will be looking to continue its recent resurgence following a tough stretch in which saw it drop from first to third on the ladder.

But standing in its way on Thursday night is the form side of the competition in Illawarra and its high-scoring stars in Kirk Penney, Kevin Lisch and AJ Ogilvy.

Sydney Kings interim coach Joe Connelly recently referred to the trio as the “three-headed scoring monster” and United guard Stephen Holt is wary of the threat they pose.

“They’re one of the best offensive teams in the league and they’re playing great basketball at the moment,” Holt said.

“They beat New Zealand a few weeks ago so they are definitely on a high.

“We just need to continue playing how we’re playing and hopefully get a win.”

Holt and fellow Melbourne star Chris Goulding will lock horns with Penney and Lisch tonight in a match up that will go a long way towards deciding the contest.

“They are one of the best (guard combos in the NBL),” Holt said.

“You just have to look at their numbers and how well the team is doing.

“Me and Chris (Goulding) are going to have our hands full and we just want to go out there and try and slow them down and make them work hard.

“And they’re going to have to try and guard us, so it is vice versa and I’m excited for the match up.”

Melbourne is coming off two crucial wins last round over ladder-leaders Perth and Sydney.

Holt said it was the perfect tonic for his side’s mid-season form slump, which now looks like a thing of the past.

“It was definitely a confidence booster,” he said.

“We had a tough month of December but we closed it out the way we wanted to.

“We’re still in the playoff hunt in the top four and ultimately our goal is to get there and win a championship.

“We want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the year and hopefully we can keep moving upwards.

“It just comes down to defending and hitting our shots.”

Originally published as Melbourne United looking build on recent resurgence as they host Illawarra Hawks