How Melbourne plans to stop Harrell

Montrezl Harrell’s recent form has been nothing short of dominant. The former NBA star has averaged an incredible 29 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks across the last three games, rocketing into MVP contention.

Harrell had a season-low 12 points when Adelaide last played in Melbourne, in a 27-point loss, but with fellow MVP candidate Jack White on the sidelines, it’s a whole new ball game.

So how does Melbourne stop Montrezl?

“KB (Kyle Bowen) closed the game out against Perth without Jack in the second half and I thought the way he guarded was pretty elite, so him, and I think there’s an opportunity to go with the double bigs at different times,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.

With Jarell Martin and Isaac Humphries also poising a significant threat, United will take a multi-pronged approach to stopping the 36ers’ bigs. 

Rob Loe, Marcus Lee, Akech Aliir and Tom Koppens are all options, but there’s no question as to where the most focus will land. 

“He’s got a lot of different ways to hurt you,” Vickerman said of Harrell.

“His post isolation is really tough, he sees the floor pretty well so if you want to send extra coverage to him, he’s a willing enough passer to find people open on the perimeter and, at times, he’ll wander around a little bit and then just have these really explosive moments where you fall asleep on him for a second and he’s catching lobs. 

“He’s a force.”

For the 36ers, redemption from a disappointing performance last time in Melbourne is paramount. 

“For us to go in there again after what happened last time, there should be a bit of fire in the belly,” Jason Cadee said.

“The last time, it was like our fourth game in 10 or 11 days, and they got the better of us in the second half.

“This time we have had a full week under our belt. It’s a mindset, we must come into this together with a plan as United is not a team that beat themselves.”

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