By Chris Pike
Virtually invisible in Game 1, import Dylan Windler has inspired the Perth Wildcats to a remarkable come-from-behind 96-89 NBL Playoff victory over Melbourne United in Game 2 to force a series decider.
United arrived at RAC Arena on Saturday after winning the opening game on Thursday night and having won 10 of the last 11 clashes at the Perth venue against the Wildcats.
Melbourne dominated the first 29 minutes and were leading by 16 late in the third quarter when Matthew Dellavedova (13 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds) landed a three ball.
Dylan Windler sparked Perth in a Game 2 win that extends the NBL Playoff series against Melbourne.Credit: AAP
From there, the Wildcats took control and it wasn’t five-time MVP Bryce Cotton (18 points, seven rebounds, five assists) doing the damage as he was again blanketed by Shea Ili.
“We showed great perseverance to stick with it but it’s playoff basketball and they made the plays the other night at the end of Game 1, and we made the plays at the end of this one,” said a delighted Wildcats coach John Rillie.
“That’s a good idea of how playoff basketball is when you’ve got two pretty good teams playing.”
Windler had just four points on five shots in Game 1 and then just seven points with six shots to half-time of Game 2, but he was then the difference.
The American ended with 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks on shooting 6-of-7 from deep as the Wildcats blitzed United late to force a decider in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
United rocketed out to a 16-4 opening in the first four minutes with Chris Goulding (15 points, 3-of-14 from deep) continuing where he left off with his nine second-half three-pointers on Thursday.
He knocked down another three in the first four minutes and United’s lead was soon 30-10 before they went into quarter-time up 36-21.
Perth only got the deficit back to 11 after three quarters but did go into the final period with momentum from a 10-3 run.
They kept it going with Kristian Doolittle (17 points, 11 rebounds, six assists) landing a three ball to make it just a three-point ball game.
Windler made another triple and three-point play as Perth outscored Melbourne 38-15 in the last 11 minutes.
Perth ended up winning the rebound count by nine and captain Jesse Wagstaff was also pivotal with 10 points while Ben Henshall was tremendous defensively on Goulding even while scoring just one point.
Tai Webster provided a punch with 13 points too.
Jack White had a horrible night making 2-of-8 at the foul line for Melbourne to finish with 13 points and six rebounds with Ian Clark adding 13 points, and Marcus Lee 10.
Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman lost a playoff game for the first time after holding a 20-point lead
“It still comes back to the rebounding and that was an area that Windler had a massive impact in and Doolittle had a big impact to get them those second shots, and there were wild things going on,” he said.
“There were some big momentum shifts and their crowd got behind them, and we’ve got some things to work out as a coaching staff and playing group about who to best defend that small group.”
