How to watch & talking points: Brisbane v Melbourne

Brisbane Bullets v Melbourne United
Saturday, December 27, 7.30pm AEDT
Brisbane Entertainment Centre

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Talking points

Different emotions
The Brisbane Bullets will be coming into this game feeling as positive as they possibly could, after they dismantled the New Zealand Breakers last week for a long overdue win.

On the flip side, Melbourne United are the worst form team since the FIBA break, having won just one of six games in that period.

Something’s got to give in this game and either the Bullets continue to build momentum under Darryl McDonald, or United begin to find their early season form.

Goulding's happy place
Chris Goulding is in the middle of a rare shooting slump on the back of recovering from an illness and a matchup against the Bullets might be the best medicine.

Goulding averages over 16 points against Brisbane and that gets even higher when he plays away from John Cain Arena against them.

It’s no secret that if United want to get back to their winning ways, they need their captain and veteran leader to get back to his best.

What they're saying

United coach Dean Vickerman on responding against Brisbane:
“Every game is important in this league.

“If you come off a poor performance, you want to respond.

"They [Brisbane] played with great passion the other night and we’re going to need a lot of that to go up there and put together a great performance.”

Bullets' Alex Ducas on playing for interim coach Darryl McDonald:
"You saw how he was as a player and it's awesome that a guy like that can relate to players now as a coach and he understands what it's like to go through it as players.

"He's played at the highest levels and dominated, and he kinda connects with each and every individual on how they play, and how we should play as a team and sometimes it's not just about X's and O's.

"It's just about giving effort and trusting one another, and kinda leaning into that brotherhood identity that we have here, and DMac really emphasises that.

"The playing group loves him and we're excited to have him here."

Missing in action

Brisbane
Casey Prather - Knee - Season
Dakota Mathias - Shoulder - February
Lamar Patterson - Hamstring - Season
Sam McDaniel - Foot - TBC
Taine Murray - Ankle - TBC

Melbourne
Finn Delany - Personal - TBC
Shea Ili - Hamstring - Round 19

>> View full injury list