This game is uuuge

Soy references deliver yet again.

If we remember back to last season Cairns lead United going into the last quarter a couple of times so they aren't scared of United and long may that continue.

I'd love to see more of the bench guys from Cairns get a go, Anthony Fisher showed good signs during the blitz and then literally nothing all season and any more rust that can come off Noi will be priceless coming into playoffs.

What will Trimble and McCarron do against their old side?

I'm gonna predict Cairns by 10 as DisUnited crash and burn after half time

Everyone is saying that Adelaide is going through the motions, but imagine an Adelaide v Melbourne game

Trimble been told he won't be back at United next year...wanted to engage a contract extension and United having none of it.

Yeah no kidding re: Trimble. Would be shocked if Long or Trimble were back next season.

I'm going against popular opinion, Melbourne at home by 5.

United can still crack fourth, but they need to win both games and hold %

There's no way United are telling their imports that they are no chance to return next season, particulaly since they remain a chance for playoffs.

Of United imports (including Prather), i think Trimble and Kidd have the best chance of staying but need huge games to end the season, and make playoffs.

More hopeful than confident. But United in a close one.

United by 6 and they will keep their finals hopes alive

I'm sure United politely said "we are saving all contract negotiation talks until the offseason" before dialing up Cam Oliver and Scotty Machado's agents as soon as Trimble left the room.

The Trimble recruitment just hasn't worked. Bringing him off the bench I think (despite the form turnaround) probably demonstrates where he’s at regarding 2021 onwards. From the outside it hasn’t clicked with Goulding or McCarron. I’d persist with Long, he just needs a really solid PF to be most effective as i think he gets frustrated with constant body contact and being the only rebounder.

In my opinion, if they added a Cam Bairstow to the lineup next season and move Trimble on for a quality combo 3 (not Prather) they would be much better.

Perhaps there's a train of thought to not overreact, make a few smaller tweaks and keep Melo, Long.

There’s an element of injury woes to Prather, lack of chemistry, lack of confidence.

IMO sign a defensive import, and even a defensive backup guard (legitimately could look at Kevin White type and find a use)

If Melbourne can be more disruptive in defensive, and get a few stops it helps them to push the ball more and find that run and gun offence that will help Melo and Goulding get those offensive opportunities. Transition offence is where those two would work well together.

Small tweak to get those key D guys in and playing style might give the right opportunities to get the confidence and groove back to the likes of Melo

It's more the long disruptive SF import that would be helpful

Agreed. Defence has been the major issue all year. People talk about lli as an elite on-ball defender and while he seems to put the effort in I've been pretty underwhelmed with his game. Silly turnovers and fouls, holds onto the ball too long and gets beaten regularly by the opposing point. Not sure how NZ thought he could be a starter a few years back.

Trimble back in Cairns next year with Long as Machado & Oliver in the NBA!
Mike Kelly will make it work!!

Melbourne Still a chance, with two home games.
If NZ and Brisbane both lose, then MU can make it by either winning both, or winning one and keeping percentage.
If NZ win, as I'd expect, then MU will need to win both and boost their percentage.
Really depends on how SEM play it. Hard to see them winning in NZ, and if they really roll over, could give SEM an unassailable % boost.

Be interesting to see how Cairns approach this... Do they still think 2nd is a chance??
Should THEY think strategically? Manage their starters against MU, then look to punish Brisbane?

If 76ers don't reach conference finals, I can see Brett Brown being moved out. I’m not sure if he’d settle for an assistant role after being HC for so long.

If DisUnited lose and miss the finals, I can see Dean Vickerman being moved out. Same comment.


What are the chances that Brett Brown will step into that United coaching spot? Would it be a good thing for the team, or for the league?

Thoughts?

If United make it, is anyone giving them a chance to beat Sydney? I'll think they will win tonight and Sunday and a real chance of knocking of Sydney.

Casper has beaten united, if he doesn't light up I'll give united every chance.

Casper has destroyed United this year and Sydney's dominated the last 3 contests

Sydney will beat United convincingly IMO- as long as Bogut's on the court and at least 75% fit.

"If NZ win, as I'd expect, then MU will need to win both and boost their percentage.
Really depends on how SEM play it. Hard to see them winning in NZ, and if they really roll over, could give SEM an unassailable % boost."

Obviously that should have said NZ could get an unassailable % boost.

Flirting with form (Cairns) leading into finals is inevitably a bad recipe but perhaps could rest anyone sore mindful they play again in two days.

Long vs Oliver. #seeincredible

This is some ... uncharacteristically sloppy defense from Cairns. They are scrambling everywhere, and leaving guys wide open. Maybe they have given up on the #2 seed.

Come on, refs. Let United win because they're the better team, not because you gave them a bit of help.

Some real inconsistency in the calling tonight. What IS consistent, however, is rewarding the flop, and allowing United defenders to foul the layup harder than Cairns are allowed to.

Jawai looking very good.....subbed out, of course.....

There's a home cooking feast over in Melbourne tonight.

Taipans shooting themselves in the foot too often

Yeah, Cairns killed themselves tonight. Melbourne shot the ball well, but just so many turnovers and sloppy defensive possessions for Cairns.

I really don't like United...but I hate Sydney even more and I feel Melbourne will have a better shot against them than Brisbane or NZ so I'm not upset by this result.

Does Dwayne Russell know any other way to express a moment than 'Huge' and 'massive ' such a joke of a commentator.

Agreed as at least with a SYD-MEL semi one will be eliminated.

but at least*

My favourite Russell-isms are when he has no idea what has happened after a whistle blows, even when it is blindingly obvious. Has at least 2-3 moments of this per game he calls.

It would be completely in character for United to now go out and blow it against SEM.

Would love to play the 'LK wants United in the playoffs' game but Cairns threw that away and Melb hit some Massive (got my Dwayne on) shots at the end. Really enjoyed that game...but I wish Oliver would have thrown a punch at the end instead of just tough talking as he backed away.

Talk about one sided reffing and one sided commentating. Anything to get Melbourne into the finals

Blaming the refs is a lazy response for tonight's game. Cairns were terrible. Worst they've looked since the first couple of rounds.

Brisbane would need to win their game by 60 or so points more than Breakers would win by tomorrow. They'd also need to win by 70 or so more than Melbourne if United beat the Phoenix.

Brisbane are done.
Looks like Melbourne will slide into fourth.

"The game against Illawarra getting called off has cost the Breakers"

Sorry if I'm wrong on this, but weren’t they given a 65-52 win? That’s a good percentage boost, and a great outcome for NZ. If they don’t play finals I doubt they will be blaming that one.

Does Dwayne Russell know any other way to express a moment than 'Huge' and 'massive ' such a joke of a commentator.

Shamir might've thrown his glass of wine on the floor in disgust at those last 2 minutes, As United racked up much needed percentage

Quality win. In the box seat now.

Cairns had some unforced errors throughout the 4th. They weren't fully locked in. Still, that's what happens when one team has lots to play for and the other team has comparably much less.

Jawai given only 12 minutes (16 points is a lot. In fact the teams second best scorer and the games 4th) . Melbourne caint help it if they're lucky..
Floppers rewared

I don't feel the refs were biased; what I hated was the inconsistency.

And, dare I mention it, rewarding simulations and flops (which players are STILL doing as though the refs haven’t learned anything during the season).

"Does Dwayne Russell know any other way to express a moment than 'Huge' and 'massive ' such a joke of a commentator."

He calls the game as though he's trying to sell a crap product. The serious commentators (Santa, Gaze, Homocide, etc.) are what sells the league IMO.

"How would this "strategy" help Cairns? They can finish 2nd if they win twice and Perth lose."
"Yeah Cairns should be trying to win both games this round."

Yeah? How'd that work out for ya?

One team was playing for their season, the other couldn't give a toss, and we've seen the result.

Be interesting to se if they are as disinterested against Brisbane?

If Jawai was given 25 minutes, then Cairns would have won.
Arithmetically speaking.
Seems they didn't care whether they won or not.