Game Preview: Taipans v Kings

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak when the side travel to RAC Arena for Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Perth Wildcats.

Cairns have dropped the past two matches on home court and Head Coach Adam Forde said the side will concentrate on the quick turnaround leading into the Wildcats battle.

“We will fly out tomorrow (Friday), so we will focus on a little bit on the recovery side of things,” Forde said after Thursday night’s 107-95 loss to Illawarra Hawks at the Cairns Convention Centre.

“We will be able to get a training session over there. It’s an early tip-off, so the recovery component (from Thursday night) will be important.

“We roll (into Perth) and our team is going to eager (to bounce back),

“They are going to be really eager and hungry to win, just like us.”

Both sides go into Sunday’s clash on losing streaks, Perth have lost four of their past five matches and are coming off a 109-104 Ignite Cup defeat to the Bullets in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Perth’s only victory in the past five outings was the controversial 103-102 win against Melbourne United, where new recruit Brandon Knight drew a charging foul on Cole Anthony before hitting the game-winner on the very next possession.

But Knight missed Wednesday night’s loss in Brisbane with fluid on the hamstring and won't suit up against the Taipans.

A win for either side will be a welcome boost and with the standings so tight in NBL27, would push the victor well up the ladder.

After losing Jaylin Galloway for up to the next eight weeks with a back injury, Forde said the cover will come from within in the short-term.

“It’s next man up. Guys got given a little bit more rope today and opportunities, and so we'll get better for it,” Forde said.

“As frustrating as it is, we will look to explore what options are. But, for right now, this will be the 12 rolling into Perth. (on Sunday).”

Look for Luke Paul to keep his starting spot after a solid outing against the Hawks where the NBL Next Star showed glimpses of what’s to come in his professional career.

Cairns have been playing some amazing basketball in the first half in the past two matches but have not capitalised down the stretch.

The Taipans have lost both games in very similar fashion, playing exceptional basketball in the first half, only to be overrun in the second half by United and the Hawks.

This needs to be addressed, especially at the defensive end, where Cairns can stay in the contest even when the hot shooting cools off in patches.

Cairns only scored 33 points in the second half against the Hawks, after netting 35 points in the first quarter alone.

If they want to bounce back, finding a way to sustain that offensive rhythm or tighten the screws defensively for a full 40 minutes will be the key against a desperate Wildcats outfit.