The NBL25 Finals continue on Thursday night with Game 1 of the semi-final’s matchup between Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats. The winner of this game moves just one win away from the Grand Final series, so there’s plenty on the line in this one. As always, we have you covered with a full game preview and best bet below!
Season record: 91-64 +31.7U
NBL25 Semi-Finals Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats (Game 1)
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT (Feb 27), John Cain Arena
Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats are set to battle in Game 1 of their best-of-three NBL semi-finals series on Thursday night at John Cain Arena. United enter the series with home-court advantage after finishing second on the ladder, while the Wildcats secured third place and advanced to the semi-finals after defeating South East Melbourne in their first Play-In game. Both teams have had ample time to prepare, with United enjoying a fortnight off following their top-two finish, and the Wildcats benefiting from a week off due to the international break. This sets up an intriguing clash between two in-form sides looking to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the series.
United finished the regular season in outstanding form, winning their last four games and six of their final seven. Their strong finish also included back-to-back wins at John Cain Arena, giving them confidence heading into this home fixture. The Wildcats, however, have been just as impressive, winning their last four games while also boasting an impressive five-game winning streak on the road. United averaged 95.6 points per game in the regular season while conceding 91.4, whereas the Wildcats played at a slightly higher tempo, averaging 100.1 points but also conceding 96.9.
United dominated the season series against Perth, winning all three encounters and extending their overall winning streak against the Wildcats to four games. Their first meeting resulted in a commanding 29-point win for United, followed by a tighter nine-point victory in their second clash. Their most recent meeting was the closest of the three, with United securing a six-point win. Given this recent history, United will enter this contest full of confidence, knowing they have had the upper hand over the Wildcats this season. Additionally, United hold a solid 9-6 record at home, while the Wildcats have gone 8-6 on the road, suggesting this matchup is relatively even in terms of venue advantage.
United have been installed as 3.5-point favourites for this game, which is a fair reflection of their dominance over the Wildcats this season and their deeper roster. Melbourne’s depth and defensive versatility have been key strengths, particularly with the presence of Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova. Ili, who was recently named the NBL’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, has been a standout on that end of the floor, and alongside Dellavedova, forms a defensive backcourt capable of slowing down Perth’s biggest weapon.
Perth’s hopes largely rest on the shoulders of league MVP Bryce Cotton, who also finished as the NBL’s leading scorer. Cotton has the ability to take over a game, but he faces a significant challenge against United’s elite perimeter defenders. If Melbourne can contain Cotton’s scoring impact and limit his influence, they will have a strong chance of continuing their dominance over Perth. Given United’s recent form, their head-to-head success over the Wildcats, and their defensive ability against top scorers, they should be well-positioned to claim a Game 1 victory on Thursday night.
United -3.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
