Game Preview: Taipans v 36ers

Jack McVeigh and Andrew Andrews headline a fired-up Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans outfit as they chase redemption after a narrow overtime thriller against the Adelaide 36ers last time out.

Battling through injuries to push one of the league's toughest sides to the limit in their last fixture.

Cairns now eye a Christmas Eve response under the bright lights in Adelaide in their second Ignite Cup game of the season.
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‍Where and When

Wednesday, 24 December at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (4:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Cairns Taipans (99) v New Zealand Breakers (95)
Sydney Kings (119) v Cairns Taipans (77)
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Sydney Kings (97) v Adelaide 36ers (93) OT 
Illawarra Hawks (78) v Adelaide 36ers (84)

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans were overrun after halftime as the Sydney Kings powered away to a 119-77 win at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Cairns showed early promise, moving the ball well and knocking down shots from deep to stay in touch through the opening quarter.

But Sydney’s physicality and dominance on the glass steadily shifted momentum, before the contest unraveled in a decisive third quarter.

The Kings blew the game open with a 34-18 run after the break to seize control, stretching the margin to 90-61 at three-quarter time and never looking back.

Sydney was led by Kendric Davis (21 points, nine assists), Xavier Cooks (14 points, six rebounds) and Makuach Maluach (13 points).

For the Taipans, Cairns-born guard Kody Stattmann and point guard Andrew Andrews (nine assists) led the scoring with 14 points apiece.

In Round 9, the Taipans went down 105-101 in overtime to the Adelaide 36ers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre after a gritty, undermanned effort on a tight turnaround. 

Jack McVeigh spearheaded the Snakes with 39 points (plus eight rebounds and seven assists), with strong support from Mojave King (21) and the interior duo of Marcus Lee (15, seven offensive boards) and Kyrin Galloway (14). 

Cairns stormed back late to force OT, but Adelaide steadied through Bryce Cotton’s 41 and veteran poise, with former NBA wing Troy Brown Jr. adding nine points on debut.

Each of the last two games between Adelaide and Cairns at Adelaide Entertainment Centre have gone to overtime.
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Player to watch - Kody Stattmann

‍With confidence surging after his impactful performance against the Kings with 14 points, two rebounds and a steal — including eight points in the opening quarter without a miss.

Kody Stattmann looms as a key X-factor off the bench when the Taipans face a deep 36ers roster. 

The Cairns locals's shooting and off-ball movement could be vital, with his energy and floor-spacing a timely weapon.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
“[We struggled with] offensive rebounds in the first quarter, then we started to get short on the closeouts [defending the three-point line], we were a little bit too attached to the ball. Then it just became a party for [the Kings] in the second half.”

“As a group, when we’re all up, we’re up. When we’re all down, we’re down. There were obviously some things that let us sway to a position where we were feeling agitated and annoyed, which led to quick shots on the offensive end and lapses defensively.”‍

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Lachlan Barker / Kyle Adnam

SG – Mojave King / Kody Stattmann

SF –  Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Kyrin Galloway / Admiral Schofield

C – Sam Waardenburg / Marcus Lee

36ers

PG – Bryce Cotton / Isaac White / Keanu Rasmussen

SG – DJ Vasiljevic / Matt Kenyon

SF – Flynn Cameron / Troy Brown Jr. / Michael Harris 

PF – Zylan Cheatham / Nick Rakocevic

C – Isaac Humphries / Blake Jones

Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Mojave King, Lachlan Barker

Outs – Alex Higgins-Titsha (wrist), Reyne Smith (foot)

36ers

Outs – Ben Griscti (Neck)
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‍The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to the Cairns Convention Centre to host SEM Phoenix in Round 15 for the New Year's Eve matchup at 6:30pm AEST. Grab your tickets HERE.