Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has described Melbourne United as the hottest team in the NBL, and says his players need to be at their defensive best in Friday night's top-of-the-table clash.
Melbourne (12-6) have won six successive games to move to equal top of the ladder alongside Perth.
Even the loss of star import Casey Prather to a serious elbow injury hasn't hindered United's cause, with former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Carrick Felix slotting in seamlessly.
Wildcats skipper Damian Martin looms as a key figure against the star-studded Melbourne outfit.
Martin has established a reputation for being the best defensive guard in the league, and he and his teammates will be put to the test against a line-up featuring Casper Ware, Chris Goulding, Felix, and Josh Boone.
"It's a good game to test us against the hottest team in the league," Gleeson said on Thursday.
"You are playing against probably the best offensive team out there, and you are testing your defence."
"It's a real good battle to find out where you are at this point in the season.
"They're on a bit of a roll. They've got some confidence getting up.
"Probably with Casey going out, the pieces aligned a little bit better with their roles.
"There's not someone having 20 shots a game, so there's more shots for Goulding, Ware, and everyone else."
Martin now has three games under his belt since returning from an ankle injury, and Gleeson said his star charge was banged up but ready to go against United.
"I don't think Damo's been 100 per cent since 1999," Gleeson joked.
"But he's fine. There was concern with him for the back to back games coming back, but he got through the whole trip great. So the Damo of old is back."
Vice-captain Greg Hire is expected to miss at least another week with a calf injury.
Share
