After letting their first NBL grand final game in Perth slip, Melbourne United are intent on winning game three to give themselves a chance of claiming back-to-back titles in front of their home fans.
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The five-game NBL grand final series is locked at 1-1 leading into the third game in Perth on Friday after United hit back with Sunday's 18-point game-two win.
Melbourne import DJ Kennedy said he was intent on helping United claim back-to-back titles and ear-marked game three as crucial.
"This Friday night is definitely our moment," Kennedy said on Tuesday.
"If we can get this one, we want to be able to capitalise and get it over with at home.
"We know this is one of the biggest games of the grand finals and, if we can get this road win, we like our chances at home."
After suffering a knock to his head in the first game which limited his impact, Kennedy bounced back in Melbourne with 12 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Replacing Casey Prather in the squad this season, the 29-year-old Kennedy said winning an NBL crown would sit high on his list of accomplishments - which includes picking up the $US1 million prizemoney three times in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).
"That's the reason I came here," the Pittsburgh native said of the title.
"I think I want it more than most of my team as they've had a taste of it already and this will be my first.
"To come in and fit and get them to back to back, that would be pretty big.
"I'm passionate about winning so this would be big for me, to add that to my resume."
Falling by 10 points in the first match, Kennedy said rebounding was a real focus for the second game. Melbourne duly dominated the boards in Sunday's game, winning the rebounding count 51-38, including a 20-10 edge in the offensive rebounds, and would look to do the same on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
