{"id":48351,"date":"2026-03-06T15:11:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T05:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=48351"},"modified":"2026-03-06T15:11:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T05:11:48","slug":"wildcats-welcome-united-for-spot-in-semis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/wildcats-welcome-united-for-spot-in-semis\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildcats welcome United for spot in semi’s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) postseason resumes tomorrow night with another elimination clash taking place, as Melbourne United<\/a> travel across the Nullarbor to take on the Perth Wildcats<\/a> for a spot in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sides are fresh off play-in matches over the last couple of days, and will be experiencing short turnarounds heading into what could be their last outing of the season. Two of the league’s biggest clubs will go head to head, with the winner set to face off against the ladder-leading Sydney Kings<\/a>, while it is season over for the loser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With plenty of history between the storied clubs and everything to play for at RAC Arena on Saturday night, it should be another exciting matchup that will have a massive say in the final stages of the championship race for this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Perth Wildcats vs. Melbourne United<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RAC Arena
Saturday, March 7 @ 8pm AEDT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Wildcats had the chance to advance straight through to the semi-finals with their clash against the SEM Phoenix<\/a> on Wednesday night, and a win would have set up a tantalising matchup with Bryce Cotton<\/a> and the Adelaide 36ers<\/a>. However, Perth failed that challenge and was convincingly defeated by the Phoenix, forcing the team from out west to take the longer route to the semi-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that game, the Wildcats were brought undone by immense defensive pressure from the opposition, and they committed far too many turnovers to truly be in the game, despite some impressive shotmaking. If Perth is to not only win this game but also potentially challenge Sydney in the next stage, the team will have to be better at absorbing pressure, particularly in the backcourt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guard Elijah Pepper<\/a> showed what he was capable of in the NBL1 last season, and did it again in Boomers colours at the World Cup Asian Qualifiers last weekend, but it has not consistently translated to NBL level. If he can reach those levels of offensive production against Melbourne, it will make the Wildcats tough to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elijah Pepper could be the secret weapon for the Wildcats. Photo: via NBL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

United were good enough to get the job done over the Tasmania JackJumpers<\/a> at John Cain Arena last night, getting one back over their recent rival and keeping their season alive in the process. Although Tasmania was undermanned, it was certainly a danger game for United, and they passed with flying colours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The win was built largely on defensive intensity, which did not allow Tasmania to get much breathing room on the offensive side of the floor and typically force up tough shots. That is the exact method that the Phoenix used to bring the Wildcats undone on Wednesday night, so look for plenty of pressure on Perth’s ball handlers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United got a career-best performance from Finn Delany<\/a> against Tassie with their championship hopes on the line, dropping 33 points in his first postseason match with Melbourne. If he can be just as dangerous against Perth and Melbourne’s other big names can step up, United may be able to leave enemy territory with a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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