Melbourne preparing for Game 2 "chess match"

Melbourne and Tasmania have already played each other four times this season, and if the Championship Series is to reach its full potential of a five-game series, they’ll play each other four more times yet. How, then, do you keep the other team on its toes?

United struck first in this season’s Championship Series with a comfortable 23-point win over the JackJumpers in Game 1, and with Game 2 set to be played in Hobart on Friday night, they have the opportunity to all-but place one hand on the trophy, if they emerge from enemy territory with another win.

The tactical battle ahead of Game 2 has been underway since the final buzzer of Sunday’s meeting, and United assistant coach David Barlow says his side is attempting to be prepared for anything the JackJumpers might throw at them.

“It’s an interesting time, there’s obviously a lot of good to come from that Game 1, there’s a lot of things to tweak and work on, and we have to consider what they (the JackJumpers) can possibly change,” Barlow told SEN.

“They might try to get different people more involved, guys that were quiet they might try to get a few more touches and to be a bit more aggressive on certain actions. Defensively there may be a little bit more pressure up the court, or maybe a bit less pressure up the court. They might focus on certain sets and try to isolate some of our guys defensively, they’ll have an understanding of how we’ve defended certain actions and maybe they’ll think of ways to counter that.

“It becomes a big-time chess match and it’s quite complicated. There’s a lot of unknown and you have to try and prepare for all possible scenarios.

“We’ll have what we believe they’re going to do, and we’ll have a plan on how we want to do things, and if all is going well not a whole lot will change.

“Ideally, we’ll all be on the same page and able to execute a variety of offensive sets, spacing, movement patterns as well as defensive systems, we’re able to access readily if things aren’t going our way.

“That’s all part of it and really good teams can do that, and hopefully we’re well enough prepared.”

The free throw shooting of both Melbourne and Tasmania has been under the microscope since Game 1. Combined, the two teams made just 23 of 40 attempted free throws – enough for only 57.5 per cent.

Melbourne was the more efficient of the two from the line on the night and connected with 60 per cent of its looks, but has been the worst free throw shooting team across the NBL this season.

Barlow – who himself was an almost 75 per cent free throw shooter in the NBL – says reps and confidence are the two keys to making the most of trips to the line.

“I don’t think faith is going do all that much in that regard,” he said. “Mental state may play a part, reps is a big one, but there’s not a whole lot you can say.

“The amount of reps players get gives them confidence going into it, and probably not harping on it too much I think is our best bet. Getting to the foul line is always a good thing, so the more we’re there the happier we are.

“Hopefully the work the players have put in over their careers and the course of the season will hold them in good stead.”

Game 2 of Melbourne’s Championship Series against Tasmania will tip off on Friday night at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.