United face ghosts of NBL24

It’s approaching 12 months to the day that Melbourne United had to watch the Tasmania JackJumpers cut down the nets on their home floor and be crowned Champions.

United had the chance to complete the redemption at home in Game 4 in front of a sold out John Cain Arena, but fell short.  Now, they have to put that behind them, and quick smart, if they're going to claim a claim win in enemy territory.

“The ghosts of the NBL24 Championship Series ... they must deal with those demons, and we started to see them arise (in Game 4),” former MVP Derek Rucker said on NBL Now.

“The scarring is there ... you cannot deny it”

In NBL24, United trailed the JackJumpers 2-1, before heading down to Tasmania and winning a big game to force a Game 5. With the trophy on the line, they couldn’t replicate that same performance and came up agonisingly short.

“The power of the mind is significant,” Rucker added.

“They’ve got to overcome all of those memories of last season and the fresh memories of what we saw Wednesday night to try and go down to the 'Gong and get this victory”

With Trey Kell III ruled out pre-game ahead of Game 4 and Sam Froling injuring his Achilles, many believed it would be too much for the Hawks to overcome in an elimination game. However, it was United who struggled to rise under the pressure of a championship result.

“The longer that game went on and the closer it got, with the way they couldn’t make a shot ... you could see that everybody’s getting a little bit tighter and certain individuals in that team really tightened up,” NBL champion Damon Lowery said.

“Now those are the same guys that Melbourne United are going to need to win.”

The positive for United is that they have won both times in Wollongong this series, which included some spectacular poise down the stretch from their stars.

“We know what (Chris) Goulding is going to do,” Lowery added.

“Pencil in Goulding, Delly and Clark for 50 points between them ... where’s the rest of the points going to come from?

“Now, if Jack White can stack it up one more time ... yes, he’s capable of it, but to be able to do it in a different environment, well we’re going to find out.”

If history tells us anything, it’s that recent form and performances mean nothing in a winner-take-all Game 5. It simply comes down to whoever steps up in that moment and delivers on the biggest of stages.

“Melbourne are going to play at a super high level of intense defence,” Rucker said.

“Hawks are going to have to display that same level of discipline on the offensive end that we saw at the end of game four.”

Illawarra hosts Melbourne in Game 5 on Sunday from 2.30pm, live on ESPN, 10 and 10 Play.