Game Preview: Taipans v Phoenix

Round 9 delivers a fascinating clash of styles as the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans host second-placed SEM Phoenix on Friday night at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Cairns will enter the contest looking to rebound from a hard-fought loss to Illawarra, despite Mojave King’s blistering 32-point display and Andrew Andrews’ recent surge in playmaking form. Phoenix, powered by Nathan Sobey’s 21.7 points per game and the league’s number one ranked offence, arrive aiming to bounce back after their five-game winning streak was snapped by Melbourne United. Expect Phoenix to bring their high-pressure with Taipans looking to lockdown defensively and grind out a win.

Where and When

Friday, 14 November at the Cairns Convention Centre (6:30pm AEST)

How to Follow

Watch: Live on ESPN

Live Updates: Taipans X

Stats: Box Score

What’s Already Happened

Recent Results

Illawarra Hawks (107) v Cairns Taipans (90)
SEM Phoenix (81) v Melbourne United (92)

Despite a blistering career-best performance from new recruit Mojave King, the Taipans were unable to slow down a hot Illawarra Hawks outfit, falling 90–107 at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night.

Undermanned and forced into rotation changes, Cairns showed stretches of fast, disciplined basketball behind their small-ball approach from Head Coach Adam Forde, but the reigning champions proved too polished down the stretch.

The home side kept the contest tight through the opening half, trailing 48–52 at the main break. But a 29–20 third term from Illawarra gave the visitors a double-digit buffer, and despite Cairns’ best efforts to respond, the Hawks maintained control to close out a 17-point win.

Elevated into the starting lineup for the first time this season, Mojave King delivered the most complete offensive performance of his career. The 23-year-old set the tone early with a soaring transition dunk and piled on 10 points in the opening quarter before finishing with 32 points (13-16 FG, 6-8 3P), 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Forward Kyrin Galloway produced 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-5 3P) and seven rebounds, stretching the floor and battling inside against Illawarra’s size.

Phoenix were on a roll of winning five in-a-row before being halted by bitter rivals Melbourne United last Saturday night. 

The home side brought their trademark full-court pressure defence into the contest, however were forced into 22 turnovers and couldn't contain United's offence for long enough in a battle between the top two on the table. 

Phoenix currently sit second, led by guard Nathan Sobey with the 35-year old turning back the clock to average 21.7 points (fifth highest), 39 per cent from three and 3.9 assists.

The Victorian side currently rank first in the league for points (97), assists (23) and steals (10.8) per game, while also ranking first for three-point field goals made per game this season (12.9).

Phoenix big man John Brown has recorded 18 offensive rebounds in his last three games.

Player to Watch

Andrew Andrews shapes as a key matchup against SEM Phoenix, especially with the prospect of trading buckets and jumpers with Nathan Sobey. He’s averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 assists on the season, including a blistering 21 assists across his past three outings. With Sobey and 36ers star Bryce Cotton on deck this weekend, Andrews enters Round 9 ranked third in the NBL for assists per game — and primed for a influential performance.

With Reyne Smith (foot) and Kody Stattmann (hamstring) unavailable, the Taipans will once again call on King and Lachlan Barker to step up on both ends after making their first starts of the season in round 8.

"The offense is coming along — the last three games we’ve held our turnovers down to a seven-per-game average (with a season-low of three turnovers in the win against the JackJumpers)," said Head Coach Adam Forde

"That’s vastly improved from the 15 per game across the opening nine. Our assists are up — around 22 per game — which comes off the back of better shot selection. We’re shooting 46 per cent from the field compared to 41 per cent early on. Defensively, we still need to make adjustments. It’s too inconsistent from game to game.

"Part of the improvement has been off the back of Andrew Andrews. In a normal situation we bring in our starting point guard early with a full preseason and practice games to get integrated. In our case he arrived in Round 2 and it’s been a baptism by fire.

"Now that Drew has settled, that’s kind of what the last three games have really shown. He’s been the leveller for us, especially on the offensive end. Full credit to Drew — we’re starting to see the improvement of what we’re trying to do."

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Lachlan Barker 

SG – Mojave King / Lloyd McVeigh

SF – Jack McVeigh / Mawot Mag

PF – Admiral Schofield / Kian Dennis

C – Marcus Lee / Kyrin Galloway / Jed Richardson

Phoenix

PG – Owen Foxwell / Hunter Maldonado

SG – Nathan Sobey / Daniel Foster / Patrick Ryan

SF – Malique Lewis / Wes Iwundu

PF – John Brown III / Akech Aliir / DJ Mitchell

C – Jordan Hunter / Gorjok Gak / Ellis Biggar

Ins and Outs 

Taipans

Ins – Kian Dennis, Mojave King, Lachlan Barker, Lloyd McVeigh, Jed Richardson

Outs – Kyle Adnam (knee), Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Kody Stattmann (hamstring), Alex Higgins-Titsha (hand), Reyne Smith (foot)

Phoenix

Ins – Angus Glover

Outs – Hunter Maldonado (concussion)