Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorian has backed Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie’s policy of not calling time-outs when games have been on the line this season, saying he would do the same thing if when in that position.

Rillie has been criticised this season for not calling time-outs when the Wildcats are chasing victory on the final play of the game.

Rillie has made it clear that he won’t call a time-out unless there are less than six seconds remaining because he prefers to deny the opposition the chance to set up defensively and trust his players to implement what they have learned during training.

Perth trailed by one point with 11.9 seconds remaining during Wednesday night’s semifinal against the Kings but couldn’t produce a winning basket. It was their fourth loss by one-point this season.

While Rillie’s tactics have been heavily debated all season, Goorjian said has the same belief.

“I’m with John,” Goorjian said.

“I don’t have anything that great or exciting for them with 11 seconds left. We’re going to end up running a middle pick-and-roll or a step up for KD (Kendric Davis).

“There’s 11 seconds left. It’s not two. It’s not three. Now you take the ball out and you’ve got to get the ball in.

“We’ve had 20 days (to prepare). We are scripted. If there’s 11 seconds left, I don’t want to call a time-out and try to get it in and bring it up where they’re waiting for us at half-court and they know what to do.

“National team or whatever, I am very much that way. If it’s under six or under seven, I want the ball from the side. “

Rillie worked under Goorjian when he was in charge of the Australian Boomers and was part of the historic bronze medal winning team at the Olympics.

The Wildcats must now beat the Kings at RAC Arena on Saturday night to extend the best-of-three semifinal series, otherwise their season will come to an end. Sydney have won 11 games in a row and have won all four games against the Wildcats this season.

Perth have a significant injury concern with import Dylan Windler being helped from the court after the match. He has been carrying a plantar fascia injury since January and hurt himself on the final play.

The Wildcats will be hoping he can find a way to recover in time to play on Saturday night.