Series 'right where it's supposed to be': Rucker

The NBL24 Championship Series has one more incredible, final turn up its sleeve. Game 5.

Tasmania fell to a desperate Melbourne United side by just two points on Thursday night which has forced the final, decisive game, and Derek Rucker believes the series is poised right where it’s meant to be.

Three of the four games in the series so far have been decided by five points or less, and the most recent two have come down to the final shot.

“I’m not sure how much more drama and intrigue we can get in a series, but I think we’re getting what the basketball public and the greater sporting community deserve, which is a Game 5 on Sunday,” Rucker said on the Coca-Cola Cool Down.

“I think we’re right where we’re supposed to be going into a Game 5. Both teams have won a couple of games, Melbourne United probably feel like they stole that one, but this is why we play series’ to determine basketball championships.

“They’ve (United) gone from being under immense pressure coming into this game to now being in the driver’s seat ... [Tasmania] probably should have been swept, it probably should have been 3-0, legitimately, to Melbourne United … Melbourne is clearly the better team in this series, they had to dig deep today and they did that, and now we’re going to that Game 5.”

While Dean Vickerman stated in his post-game press conference that Chris Goulding’s apparent injury is “nothing to worry about”, it’s obvious the veteran sharpshooter was limping in the final stages of Thursday night’s win.

Luke Travers also looked to be in considerable discomfort with an apparent foot issue at multiple points throughout the game.

Rucker says if Goulding is indeed carrying an injury, Melbourne doesn’t need him to be full fit to have a considerable impact, but Travers, on the other hand, is of more concern.

“They don’t need Chris Goulding at 100 per cent, let’s be totally clear. 75 per cent of him is better than 75 per cent of the players in this competition,” Rucker said.

“They need his threat, if he can catch and shoot he’s good enough to be out on the floor.

“The one that’s more concerning is Luke Travers. He needs his mobility, his athleticism, his ability to get off the floor, slide and defend. He needs his mobility more than Chris does, and offensively he’s more of a slasher getting on the rim. 

“There’s immediate and equal concern for both of those guys, but the beauty of this United team is they have that depth, they can bring in a guy like Ian Clark who can deliver 17, 18, 19 points in a big game like this.”

The fifth and final game of the NBL24 Championship Series will tip off at 4pm AEDT on Sunday evening, live on ESPN via Kayo.