"Horrible basketball": United search for answers after disastrous start

Dean Vickerman was left to lament the “worst five minutes” his team has played so far this year, as Melbourne United fell to a 15-2 deficit and never truly recovered.

United still looked in with a chance late in the game, but ultimately the Wildcats did the damage early, putting the game away with a clinical first quarter display.

“It’s the worst five minutes that we’ve had all season,” Vickerman said post-game.

“They (the Wildcats) just played with a way greater intent and we put ourselves on the backfoot.”

Vickerman said he challenged his players on the poor start.

“I just asked our group and we didn’t have great answers to that question right now … we’ve got to be better,” he said.

“We were poor tonight. The Wildcats wanted that win more than us, and that showed in a lot of different areas.

“We played horrible basketball and there’s still a little chance if we turn it around. But we weren’t able to turn it around tonight.”

Tanner Krebs played somewhat of a lone hand for United, with a career-high 29 points, on a night that saw a visibly sick Chris Goulding struggle, and the likes of Tyson Walker and Milton Doyle not able to find their shooting groove.

“United looked like they’d been on a break and Perth looked like they’d been working their arses off and drilling down and refining what they do,” two-time MVP Chris Anstey said on NBL Now.

“Perth were really impressive. They came out ready to play. Dean Vickerman called a time-out after two minutes, down four, not because of the score but because of the way the game felt that early into the game.

“It just felt like Melbourne United never got comfortable from behind the three-point line, because they were rushed, or at the rim because they were contested.”

Goulding was scoreless for the first time in seven years, while Walker shot just 1-of-11 from the field.

Krebs was a shining light, while Jesse Edwards had 17 and 9 rebounds, on a tough night for the ladder-leaders.

United will have to regroup quickly, taking on the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Sunday, live from 2.30pm AEDT on ESPN and 10.