JLA vs Edwards: The headline battle

Two of the league’s most dominant bigs collide on Thursday night, with Jo Lual Acuil Jr. and Jesse Edwards setting up one of the round’s most compelling matchups.

For Lual Acuil Jr. it's a chance to respond after a rare night where he was outplayed. Just over a week ago, Edwards hauled in 16 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, while JLA managed just three boards, despite contributing 19 points.

That performance even prompted Derek Rucker to list Edwards above the Wildcats’ marquee man in his FIBA Break Top 15.

But former NBL champion Mark Worthington believes Lual Acuil Jr. is primed to turn the tables at RAC Arena.

“It might have been four and five on Rucker's matchup, but this is six (Lual Acuil Jr.) versus 14 (Edwards) in my matchup,” he said.

“Two premier big men of this competition and I feel like with every game that we talk about, it is the matchup between the five men that becomes the premier matchup of the round, such is the dominance of the bigs this season.

“JLA is obviously one of the most agile bigs that we have in this competition and will give Jesse Edwards some troubles with his face up game and his speed in the mid-post, and his shooting from three, because Jesse is a very good rim defender.

“He is a very solid defender as a whole, but when you can stretch him out a little bit and make him guard a big on the perimeter, some of his strengths are not there anymore.

“I really like this matchup for JLA, as long as the Perth Wildcats continue to run stuff through him and it is not just walking it down the court and throwing it into the post.”

Worthington says it is up to the Wildcats to adapt their strategies and amplify the impact of their superstar.

“I want to see some sort of movement that allows him to get the ball on the move, and the defence has to shift,” he said.

“Because the other thing is Melbourne United is a very solid team defensive squad. So if you can get them out of place a little bit more before you isolate that matchup, I think that will work in Perth's favour.”

Lual Acuil Jr. is producing career-best numbers with 18.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a night, while Edwards is delivering 13.7 points, 8.5 boards and 1.2 blocks in just 21 minutes.

Worthington labelled United the "benchmark" of the competition, pointing to the Wildcats not yet fully finding their groove in the absence of an emerging point guard.

“I like Melbourne United still. I think Perth have an import issue with no Jaron Rillie there and David Duke playing out of position.

“So for me, it is Melbourne United at the moment, but I am looking forward to calling the game tonight and it should be a bunch of fun.”

Perth hosts Melbourne at RAC Arena on Thursday night, live on ESPN from 9.30pm AEDT.