Game Preview: Taipans v Bullets

Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to Far North Queensland on Thursday night looking to build on a stirring road win in Melbourne when they host the Brisbane Bullets at Cairns Convention Centre.

The Taipans produced its best fourth quarter of the season last Saturday night at John Cain Arena, overturning a nine-point deficit at the final break to defeat United 107-95 in Melbourne.

Jaylon Brown helped ignite the comeback with 14 of his 20 points in the final quarter, as the Taipans found another gear when the game was there to be won.

For Head Coach Adam Forde, the performance was another important step forward for a group continuing to build belief and cohesion.

“This is not a team that will operate through fear and then we find ourselves down 12, the emotions are heightened and this is where you respond,” Forde said after the win.

“This time we capitalised on the offensive end and it's building blocks.”

Now the challenge is to back it up.

The Taipans welcome a new-look Brisbane side to Cairns, with the Bullets sitting at 2-2 under new head coach Will Weaver.

Despite dropping their past two games against the Sydney Kings and Tasmania JackJumpers, Brisbane has shown plenty of attacking firepower, including a 34-point opening quarter against the defending champion Kings.

One of the most encouraging aspects of Cairns' win in Melbourne was the number of players who made an impact offensively.

Four Taipans scored at least 20 points, giving United no single threat to shut down.

Keanu Pinder led the way with 27 points, Reyne Smith poured in 21 including five three-pointers, while Jack McVeigh and Brown each finished with 20.

It was a promising sign for an offense that has taken time to settle early in the season.

McVeigh remains central to what Cairns wants to do, but Saturday showed the danger the Taipans can pose when their scoring comes from across the floor.

With Malique Lewis, Kyrin Galloway and Jonah Bolden also capable of providing scoring bursts, maintaining that balance will be important against Brisbane.

NBL Next Star Luke Paul is set to make his Taipans debut against the Bullets, with Forde confirming the youngster is in line for his first NBL minutes.

After working his way back from an ankle injury, Paul has returned to contact work and impressed on the practice court.

“He has been on court, and he was really, really good,” Forde said.

“So, it’s just a matter of building confidence in the ankle. He's had a bunch of good sessions with contact.

“If we can get five to eight minutes out of him just to build up his level of comfort, it'll be very handy.”

How much Paul features could also depend on the availability of experienced guard Shaun Bruce, who missed Saturday night's win with a groin injury.

If Cairns is to make it consecutive wins, limiting the influence of Brisbane import Arnas Velicka will be high on the priority list.

The 195cm point guard has made an immediate impact for the Bullets, averaging 15.3 points and 10.8 assists through his first four games.

Velicka's ability to create for himself and his teammates makes him the conductor of Brisbane's offense, while his combination with Tyrell Harrison gives the Bullets another dangerous avenue around the basket.

He can also punish defenders from the outside, presenting Cairns with a difficult defensive assignment.

Expect Lewis to spend time matched up against the 26-year-old, with his length and defensive mindset giving the Taipans an option to disrupt Brisbane's primary playmaker.

After showing their resilience on the road, the task for the Taipans is now to bring that same intensity back to the Far North Queensland.

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans host the Brisbane Bullets at the Cairns Convention Centre on Thursday night from 6.30pm. Get your tickets HERE.