DJ & CG: Prepare for a shooting masterclass

With all eyes on a huge matchup on Sunday between Melbourne and Adelaide, 36ers sharpshooter DJ Vasiljevic is excited for an opportunity to test himself against one of the league’s very best, Chris Goulding.

"He’s (Goulding) probably the greatest shooter Australia’s seen ... in my opinion," Vasiljevic said on NBL Now.

It was a scintillating 46-point performance from Goulding last week that left fans in awe. But let's not forget, Vasiljevic has his own moment in the history books, with his 10 made threes and 42 points against the Phoenix in 2023.

“It’s like the ball is a big hula hoop,” he said when reflecting on a game where everything just seems to go right.

“You could just throw it from anywhere and it’ll go in ... that’s the confidence level when you’re on a heater like that.”

Sunday sees the two superstars go head-to-head and Vasiljevic can't wait for an incredible test.

“I would like the challenge of guarding Chris,” he said.

“Sometimes when you play someone that’s similar to you, you actually know how to guard them better than some other players do.”

When asked if he would have some friendly trash talk and remind Goulding that his own career-high in threes made is actually one more than his, Vasiljevic’s response was quick.

“No, no,” he said, laughing.

“Because I don’t want to get him going and then it’s all my fault. People have done that to me and I go off. So I’m not going to be the instigator.”

It looms as the match of the round and potentially one of the matches of the season when two of the most exciting teams in the league face off.

Montrezl Harrell, Kendric Davis, Jarell Martin, Isaac Humphries and Vasiljevic, taking on the might of Melbourne, with Ian Clark, Shea Ili, Matthew Dellavedova, Goulding and an in-form Rob Loe, while Jack White is likely to be sidelined through injury. 

Melbourne hosts Adelaide on Sunday at 2.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN, 10 and 10 Play.