.png)
Perth Wildcats assistant coach Gerard Martin says his side is still taking it one game at a time as competition for finals spots ramps up.
The Wildcats locked in a top-two finish after Saturday's 103-91 win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne.
Table-toppers Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are separated by one win with three rounds and four games left to play in the regular season.
Gerard Martin told SportFM that the Wildcats are approaching each game individually in the lead-up to the playoffs.
“We're just going to go one game at a time. It's been [John Rillie]’'s mindset and how he's approached each game.
“We can't worry about what anyone else does and if we continue to do that, we'll be finishing in a great spot, whether that's first or second.
“Going into the playoffs playing well is what really matters. We're just chipping away, trying to have a 1-0 mindset. Win today, win tomorrow, and then get to that game, win this game, and then follow on, then worry about Cairns, and then finish the season out with your line.”
Looking ahead, the Wildcats are celebrating the retro round on Sunday and retiring the jumper of Damien Martin - a man who knows all too well about NBL finals with the Wildcats.
The former captain played 310 games for the Wildcats, winning six NBL titles and captaining five of them before announcing his retirement in 2020.
Retiring of the iconic number 53 jersey is yet another post-career accolade of Martin’s. In 2020, the NBL Best Defensive Player award was named after Martin - a six-time recipient of the award.
Gerard Martin says it is a deserving honour for the Wildcats legend.
“Obviously with him commentating in the games and he's involved in an agency with a few of our guys, you see him around,” he said.
“He's always at Bendat bringing his kids to the camps and just a great human, like all-time funny…but unbelievable player, put his body on the line every game, was not afraid to get under the other team's skin, get his knees dirty, dive on the floor.
“Definitely a deserving night for him to get his jersey in the rough.”
IMAGE: Perth Wildcats