Preview: Round 5 Game 1 v The Hawks

With five wins from five games so far, Melbourne United has started the season off in flying fashion and will be looking to remain undefeated when they take on the Hawks in Wollongong on Wednesday night.

It was a nail-biting win against the Wildcats on Sunday, but United’s depth shone through as players stepped up when they were needed. Taking on the Hawks will require another huge effort as they’ve shown how dangerous they can be this season.

SECURE YOUR TICKETS TO SATURDAY'S ROUND 5 GAME 2 IN BENDIGO

PLAYER TO WATCH

Yudai Baba officially announced himself on Sunday afternoon against Perth. Baba was relentless on defence and gave absolutely everything he had as he helped guide Melbourne home after Chris Goulding went down with injury in the third quarter.

Baba’s importance to United only grows now that both Goulding (calf strain) and Shea Ili (ankle injury) will be sidelined for the next 3-4 weeks. Both of those players are cornerstones of United’s game plan, and others will have to step up in their absence, just as they did on Sunday afternoon.

Baba was electric against Perth and his energy was infectious. He finished the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a performance that set the tone for United on the defensive end.

Baba has already proven that he won’t take a backwards step and while his defence was first class on Sunday, his offence was just as telling as he provided key buckets throughout the game.

KEY MATCH UP

Tyler Harvey has been a beast for the Hawks so far this season. He can score the ball extremely well and also showed his passing ability when he dished out seven assists against Cairns earlier in the season.

Averaging a team-high 21.2 points per game, Harvey is the focal point of the Hawks offence. Mitch McCarron and Baba will have their work cut out for them, but just as United did against Cotton on Sunday, it will be a team effort in slowing him down.

McCarron and Baba played key roles against Cotton, but the likes of Sam McDaniel and Sam Short also spent time defending him and wearing him down. Without Ili and Goulding, look for McDaniel and Short to get more court time.

THE OTHER GUYS

The Hawks have started the season in great form; they’re currently 4-1 after winning their first four games before losing to the Phoenix on Sunday.

Brian Goorjian has come back to the NBL after coaching in China for quite some time and has his Hawks playing great basketball, led by Harvey.

Justinian Jessup, who was selected by the Golden State Warriors with pick 51 in last year’s NBA Draft, has started his professional career in great form. He’s a sharpshooter, highlighted by his extremely efficient 52% shooting from long range and is averaging 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Cam Bairstow and Sam Froling both have big roles to play for the Hawks in attempting to limit Jock Landale, who is dominating the NBL. Bairstow returned from injury on Sunday and dropped 15 points in an encouraging performance, while Froling has been key with averages of 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

The Hawks have great depth with the likes of Justin Simon, Deng Adel and Emmett Naar all playing key roles.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v The Hawks.
Tip off: 7:30pm (AEDT), Wednesday 10th February.
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, NSW
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand.