“One for each import-now a fair game”-Melbourne United stirred Perth’s pot before the NBL Finals series

Manchester United have played the first two games of the five-game series in the West and have been away for more than three weeks.

Wakeman’s witty dig is because the Wildcats will play without star guard Bryce Cotton, who was excluded from the season due to a hematoma in his left quadriceps.

Cotton’s absence left Perth with only one American big man, John Mooney.

This prompted Wakeman to joke that the finals series will now be a level playing field, with both clubs bringing in Mooney and United forward Scotty Hopson.

Leaving aside, Wakeman has the highest respect for the Wildcats, even without Cotton.

“For them, it’s always a game of possession, and you can compare to them in rebounding and taking care of basketball,” Wakeman said in Perth on Wednesday.

“Now, I think they (Perth) have lost some isolated games without Cotton, but they have redoubled their efforts and have done more in basketball.

“(Todd) Blanchfield and (Clint) Standall and the way they fight Mooney will be key.”

Manchester United is still the favorite in the first game, and at the end of the regular season, the series has completed three games in Perth, which ranks first.

Wakeman admitted that his first two finals in Perth were not ideal, but he still has confidence in the team’s defense and resilience, which was demonstrated in Tuesday’s impressive comeback semi-final victory over Southeast Melbourne.

“Well, it gives you a chance,” he said.

“A very good fourth quarter was played the other night to lock the defense and transfer the ball. This may be the most enjoyable part.

“I also saw different people come forward, like Sam McDaniel and the work he did with (Phoenix guard) Kevin Sykes after halftime.

“It got everyone else started, and I think he (Sam) really started defensively.

“We must continue to look for those things.”