Is Melbourne battling with 'favourites' tag?

Melbourne United entered the NBL24 season as the competition’s top-seeded team, but should Wednesday night’s result against Illawarra not fall their way, they’ll be out of contention for the title.

NBL legend and two-time champion Andrew Gaze played his entire career in the bubble that is Melbourne basketball, and he believes United are faced with the mental battles that come with being favourites for so long.

United haven’t lost two straight games for the entirety of NBL24 so far, and should that streak continue they will find themselves in the title decider, but Gaze says that battle with favouritism transcends basketball.

“When you’ve had such a dominant regular season, the ability to close out can play on your mind,” Gaze told News Corp.

“You see it in all sports – look at tennis, you dominate the game and a player can struggle to serve it out.

“Usually, despite those pressures, the regular season form is a good indicator ... United go in as favourite, but there are a few head games they have to get through.”

Melbourne’s Game 3 clash with Illawarra will tip off at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.

Read the full story here >> ‘In your head’ Seven-time NBL MVP Andrew Gaze addresses Melbourne United’s free-throw woes ahead of must-win playoff clash.