NBL25 Finals Tips

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Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats NBL25 Tips - Cotton’s time to shine

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Mon 03 Mar 2025 14:26

Jeremy Darke 03 Mar 2025

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Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats expert predictions for Tuesday’s Semi-Final NBL matchup
Perth carries momentum from comeback win in Game 2.
Kristian Doolittle dominating with 10 rebounds per game in this series for Perth.
Tip-off is at 7:30 PM AEDT at John Cain Arena

Jez's prediction for Game 3 between United vs Wildcats.

Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats NBL25 Tips

The Wildcats will be the first team into the Championship Series with Bryce Cotton leading the charge with 25+ points in a high scoring contest.

Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats NBL25 Tips
Head to Head
Melbourne United Form & Team News
Perth Wildcats Form & Team News
Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats Frequently Asked Questions

This series has had it all and two very contrasting contests that have this going to a do-or-die third game. Melbourne shutdown the perimeter in Game 1, while Chris Goulding went for 41 points. Game 2 went the other way with Melbourne blowing a lead and the Wildcats sinking threes to complete a comeback of the ages.

Game 3 is set to be a shoot-out. The Wildcats will come out firing as they take momentum from the historic win to John Cain Arena and United will have to go with them.

Kristian Doolittle has been the constant for Perth and his size and power down low will dominate again, with the Cat’s star import recording 10 rebounds.

Bryce Cotton has been contained in the opening two matches but with Dylan Windler now drawing attention, expect Cotton to explode and push this game total open and seal the win for the win for the Wildcats.

9 of the past 10 games United have played at John Cain Arena have gone over the game total
The previous 4 matches between Melbourne and Perth at John Cain Arena have gone over the game total.
Bryce Cotton averages 31 points in a game directly following being held under 20 points, in NBL25.
Kristian Doolittle is averaging 10 RPG in this series

Head to Head

2024/25 Playoff Series Results

01/03/25: Perth 96 - 89 Melbourne

27/02/25: Melbourne 105 - 93 Perth

2024/25 Season Series

22/01/25: Perth 93 - 99 Melbourne

09/11/24: Melbourne 106 -97 Perth

04/10/24: Perth 68 - 97 Melbourne

Offensive & Defensive Rankings (NBL25 Season)

MEL Off	Rank	Stat	Rank	PER Def
95.6	4	PPG	9	96.9
43.3	2	RPG	3	39.9
46.1%	7	FG%	9	47.9%
35.0%	5	3P%	8	36.5%
11.6	6	TOV	1	12.6

MEL Def	Rank	Stat	Rank	PER Off
91.4	4	PPG	2	100.1
40.2	4	RPG	3	41.8
45.1%	3	FG%	5	46.3%
34.5%	4	3P%	2	37.2%
11.5	6	TOV	4	11.1

Melbourne United Form & Team News

Melbourne had one foot in the Championship Series with a 20-point lead over the Perth Wildcats in the second game of this series and threw it away to lose by seven points, 96-89.

Game 1 hero, Chris Goulding, who scored 41 points in the opening match of this series, came out of the blocks the way he finished, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. However, that is where the veteran's productivity stopped, finishing the Game 2 with just 15 points at RAC Arena.

With Goulding going 6-18 from the field in comparison to 12-20 in the opener, the Melbourne offence dried up as they couldn’t find another primary scorer. The door opened for Perth with United scoring 19 points or less in each of the final 3 quarters of the game.

Perth Wildcats Form & Team News

What a contrast of performances from Perth in comparison from Game one to Game two of this series.

The Wildcats found their gamebreaker in Dylan Windler, who was brought to the team to score points when Bryce Cotton was getting contained, and he certainly did that in Game Two, dropping 27 points along with 11 rebounds in important moments, while also being a menace on defence with 4 blocks and 2 steals.

Windler’s eagle-eye from three, dropping 6 of 7, was vital in the 20-point comeback for the Wildcats, as the team finished with a three-point percentage of 52.4% on the night.

Perth’s bench also played an integral role opening up the floor for their shooters while adding 25 points in Game Two, compared to just 12 in the opener.

Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats start?

Tip-off between Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats is at 7:30 PM AEDT, Tuesday, March 04

What channel is Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats on?

You can watch Melbourne United vs Perth Wildcats on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Verdict

Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats

Bryce cotton will score 25+ points and Kristian Doolittle will record 10+ rebounds as Perth go on to win the match that goes over the game total.

Perth Wildcats

Money Line

$2.45 - 1 Unit

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Over 194.5

Game Total

$1.91 - 3 Units

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Bryce Cotton

25+ Points

$1.93 - 2 Units

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Kristian Doolittle

10+ Rebounds

$2.00 - 2 Units

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