Vickerman predicts finals-like atmosphere

Dean Vickerman has called on his players to not get overawed by the “stage” of a sold-out open-air clash against Perth.

Last time United hosted the Wildcats, the visitors registered an unlikely overtime victory to kickstart their NBL24 resurgence.

The Wildcats now sit third on the ladder and are tied with Sydney and Tasmania on nine wins, while Melbourne is clear of the chasing pack with 13 wins.

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“Every game’s the same, but the stage is a little bit different sometimes,” Vickerman said. “The stage of this one is the third time we play them and we’ve won one each, it’s the open-air game, it’s sold out and Christmas.

“The stage is going to be a little bit different, but you’re going to have two in-form teams going at it and we’re desperate to win it.

“I think the intensity you see in the game will certainly have a playoff feel about it.”

Chris Goulding has been key in Melbourne establishing itself as the team to beat in NBL24, and Vickerman says that – for the time being – Goulding is holding off the effects of Father Time.

Goulding is averaging his most points per game in a season since the 2013-14 campaign in which he won his solitary NBL scoring title, and he’s shooting his best field goal percentage since his 14 games for Perth in 2008-2009.

“He’s passing the test of age at the moment. When we signed him to the three-year deal and there was a period of us at coaches saying ‘maybe there’s a period where he’s our sixth man’. Every year he’s not ready for any form of reduced role,” Vickerman continued.

“His minutes are up and his production is up on what he’s been doing the last few years.

“You put a world three-point competition together and he’s got to be a candidate to absolutely be in that competition – and it would be a fun thing to see.

“We saw it when we went and played in the NBA games to say there’s a role, he could have been JJ Redick if the right thing happened, but on a world stage he’s right up there.”

The clash between Melbourne and Perth will offer an intriguing individual battle at the center position, when Next Stars Ariel Hukporti and Alex Sarr lock horns once again.

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Hukporti was restricted to just 10 minutes last time the sides met, after suffering a knee injury in the opening minute of the game.

“There’s always little games within the game, and I think Ariel and Jo (Lual-Acuil Jr) – whoever their opponent is – as a team have to go and beat these other centers,” Vickerman said.

“Sarr having that little tag on him as a top five pick and potentially number one, and Ariel still probably being in the late 40s or 50s there’s certainly an incentive for him to come out and do the things he does well against him.

“He played well against us last time so hopefully we can shut him down a little bit more.”

Melbourne’s open-air clash against Perth will tip off on Saturday, December 23 at 8pm AEDT.