Game Preview: Taipans v Hawks

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will go head-to-head with last season's premiers Illawarra Hawks this Saturday night.

In the Snake's return to action following the FIBA break, superstar Jack McVeigh will look to continue his sensational scoring streak against the Hawks led by three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee and dangerous guards Will Hickey and Tyler Harvey.

Where and When

Saturday, 6 December at the WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (7:00pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Cairns Taipans (96) v Breakers (102)
Illawarra Hawks (113) v SEM Phoenix (109) OT

‍A one-two punch from dynamic scorers Jack McVeigh and Andrew Andrews wasn’t enough to push the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans over the line in their last fixture, falling 102–96 to the New Zealand Breakers in a spirited contest prior to the FIBA break. 

Backing up from his 39-point explosion in Adelaide, McVeigh again carried a massive scoring load.

The Boomer torched the Breakers for 35 points (12-21 FG and 5-12 from three), seven rebounds and four assists in a full 40-minute shift, bullying defenders in the mid-range, attacking closeouts and answering every New Zealand surge with tough shots at the other end.

Andrews was the organiser and spark. The import guard finished with 23 points (8-16 FG), nine assists and four steals, going toe-to-toe with playmaker Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

He repeatedly snaked his way through pick-and-rolls, finding McVeigh and versatile forward Mojave King on the perimeter to keep Cairns in the fight.

The Hawks roll into this one leaning on the gifted combo of Will Hickey and JaVale McGee, with Hickey fresh off a 16 points and 10 assists double-double against the Phoenix on Thursday night. 

The Boomers point guard is averaging 16 points and a league-best 8.1 assists per game, while McGee sits fourth in scoring (22.1), second in rebounds (10.6) and leading the league in blocks (2.0). 

In their overtime win against Phoenix, Illawarra import QJ Peterson erupted off the bench for a season-high 42 points (16-25 FG).

But for all their firepower, the Hawks ranks last in the league for turnovers at 15.9 a game with the side conceding 24 against Phoenix. It's an execution gap that Taipans point guard Andrews (fourth in assists at 6.5) and scoring machine McVeigh (sixth in scoring at 20.2 per game) will look to punish in transition.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde opted for speed over size with a small-ball line-up in their November fixture against the Hawks, shifting Admiral Schofield to the five position to counter Illawarra’s three-time NBA champion McGee.

While Schofield’s mobility helped Cairns push the pace, but McGee still made his presence felt with 29 points (12-13 FG) and six rebounds, while Illawarra guard Hickey added a triple-double — 19 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists — to steer the visitors home 90-107.

Explosive slasher King delivered the most complete offensive performance of his career in his last match-up against Illawarra.

The 23-year old finished with 32 points (13-16 FG, 6-8 from three) in a stunning showing.

After representing New Zealand across the FIBA break in consecutive matches against the Australian Boomers, King will look to continue his spectacular performances for the Snakes in the second half of the campaign.

Hawks forward Jonah Bolden sustained an Achilles tendon injury during training over the FIBA break ruling the 29-year-old out for the remainder of the season.
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‍Player to Watch - Kody Stattmann

Cairns local Kody Stattmann returns to the Taipans line-up looking to provide a scoring punch off the bench.

Following a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the 25-year old had a season-high 10 points in limited minutes in his last fixture against the Wildcats before his untimely injury.
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The 202cm (6ft 8in) guard is a difficult matchup for smaller defenders with his ability to shoot from range and create his own shoot, with his offensive threat key in the absence of fellow shooter Reyne Smith. ‍

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
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“[Key focus over the FIBA Break was to] rest and repair the bodies. Jack McVeigh for example was averaging 37 minutes [since his return from wrist injury]. We had some guys carrying nagging complaints. With a limited rotation there were a lot of guys that needed this rest. 

“[Hawks] are on a positive momentum swing at the moment. They are always tough to play on their home court. JaVale McGee is always a handful. We’re expecting a very balanced and productive offense.”

The Taipans will hit the court in one of the most colourful and chaotic kits the club has unveiled — the Space Jam Special Edition jersey.
Cairns will wear the jersey away against the Hawks, before bringing the cosmic kit home at the Cairns Convention Centre against the Tasmania JackJumpers on December 13.

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Kyle Adnam / Lachlan Barker

SG – Mojave King / Kody Stattmann / Lloyd McVeigh

SF – Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Admiral Schofield / Kyrin Galloway

C – Marcus Lee / Jed Richardson

Hawks

PG – Tyler Harvey / QJ Peterson / Biwali Bayles

SG – William Hickey / Daniel Grida / Johnny Narkle

SF – Mason Peatling / Todd Blanchfield

PF – Wani Swaka Lo Buluk

C – JaVale McGee / Harry Froling

Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Lachlan Barker, Lloyd McVeigh, Jed Richardson, Kody Stattmann

Outs – Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Alex Higgins-Titsha (hand), Reyne Smith (foot)

Hawks

Outs – Jonah Bolden (Achilles), Sam Froling (achilles)