Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has declared his squad will do everything they can to earn home-court advantage for the upcoming NBL play-offs.
Locked in a three-way battle with Sydney and Perth for the minor premiership, Melbourne have reeled off four successive wins to lead the league with a 16-8 win-loss record.
But the Kings and Wildcats also recorded victories over the weekend, leaving them within striking distance of the defending champions at 16-9.
"The goal was to win two this weekend and secure a playoff spot," coach Dean Vickerman said after United completed back-to-back victories over the New Zealand Breakers after Sunday's pulsating 111-102 overtime win at Melbourne Arena.
Mitch McCarron scored a career-best 25 points despite battling knee soreness, while point guard Casper Ware made a series of vital plays in the extra period as the Melbourne franchise ticked off another milestone.
"This club hasn't been to the playoffs two years in a row so that's pleasing and we are trying to build something to sustain success," Vickerman said.
"Now we have an opportunity to try and get home-court advantage and that's the next goal for this group."
United have four games remaining in the regular season, starting with Friday's away clash with the Kings before closing at home against the Wildcats, so Vickerman believes their championship defence starts now.
"All our games are pretty important to see if we can get a one or two spot against Sydney and Perth," he said.
"They are going to be massive games for us to try and secure one of those spots.
"Adelaide is going to be a massive game for them to try and get their play-off berth.
"I think we have Cairns in there as well and I know that (former United assistant coach) Mike Kelly would love nothing more than to get a win against us."
Vickerman added the prospect of fewer rest days between finals matches, compared to last season's championship run, as an additional motivating factor for claiming home-court advantage.
"It was spaced out a little bit more with the five-game (grand-final) series (last season) and from what I understand, it's going to be a bit more condensed," he said.
"To me, that says home court is even a little bit more important so we will do everything we can to get it."
