Game Preview: Taipans v United

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans kick off their round 16 double-header with their final Ignite Cup fixture against Melbourne United this Wednesday night.
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Jack McVeigh, Sam Waardenburg and the Snakes will be gunning for an upset victory on the road in Bendigo.
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‍Where and When

Wednesday, 7 January at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo (6:30pm 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 SEM Phoenix (111)
Illawarra Hawks (96) v Cairns Taipans (78)

Brisbane Bullets (87) v Melbourne United (92)
Tasmania JackJumpers (84) v Melbourne United (75)

‍The Taipans produced an impressive second-quarter response at WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday afternoon, but Illawarra’s strong second half proved decisive in a 96-78 defeat. 

The Hawks jumped out to an early double-digit lead off paint pressure and second-chance opportunities, before Cairns steadied through Jack McVeigh’s scoring proficiency and Sam Waardenburg’s downhill aggression. 

Cairns exploded for 31 points in the second term and went to halftime leading 45-49 after McVeigh beat the buzzer with an outrageous one-legged midrange jumper, despite Illawarra owning the possession battle (43 shots to 31) through offensive rebounds.

The game swung after the break when the Hawks opened the third quarter on a 13-3 run, sparked by Tyler Harvey’s back-to-back threes and won the term 27-15.

The home side continued to take control in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to double digits. 

Waardenburg led Cairns with 17 points, McVeigh had 16 and Mojave King added 11 points and five rebounds, while Kyrin Galloway (50th Taipans game) finished with nine points and nine boards. 

Taipans import Admiral Schofield also reached double figures off the bench and battled admirably against JaVale McGee in the paint.

For the Hawks, McGee finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Sam Froling finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Guard Harvey scored 18 points and five rebounds.

Last time Cairns faced off against Melbourne in round 6, the Taipans were defeated 67-94 at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Point guard Andrew Andrews (third in the competition for assists with 6.9 per game) led the side with 13 points and five assists with the side missing McVeigh and Waardenburg through injury.

After rocketing out of the blocks with nine straight wins to start the season, the once ladder leaders United have now slipped to third, losing six of their last eight fixtures.

Melbourne import duo Tyson Walker (14.2 points per game and 4.7 assists) and Jesse Edwards (12.9 points per game and 7.8 rebounds) are key pillars for the side, while three-time league champion Chris Goulding (13.4 points per game) remains one of the premier shooters of the competition.

Two-time NBL Best Defensive Player Shea Ili is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

However, Melbourne's depth remains potent ranking first for bench points per game (32) this season.

Next Star and lockdown defender Dash Daniels is set to play in front of his home city Bendigo, with the 18-year old shaping as a potential NBA first round selection in the upcoming draft.
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Jack McVeigh v Milton Doyle
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Former championship teammates and superstar scorers of the competition will go shot for shot when McVeigh and United guard Milton Doyle square off in an exhilarating matchup.

Since joining United from the JackJumpers in the off-season, Doyle has led the side in scoring with 15.7 points per game (39 per cent FG and 33 per cent from three) while distributing with 4.3 assists.

Meanwhile, McVeigh has been on a scoring tear averaging 20.8 points per game (sixth highest in the league) off an efficient 53 per cent from the field and 39 per cent from three.

Chicago import Doyle will also face off against Waardenburg for the first time since they were teammates at Indios de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico's BSN.
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Player to Watch - Lachlan Barker
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After missing the round 15 double-header for his wedding, Tasmanian Lachlan Barker returns to the rotation.

The gritty defender's unselfish play is a welcome boost to the Taipans' guard depth.

The 29-year-old made a key impact in the victories against the Hawks and the JackJumpers earlier this season.  

Barker, who has made two starts this season, previously suited up for Melbourne United across the 2022-23 campaign, making 15 appearances.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
“There’s a lot of games we should have done a better job with. Our problem is finding consistency week to week, not in terms of making shots but in terms of effort."  
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“The expectation is, at least if you can go out there and apply maximum effort then we can live with the result.”

“If you [turn the ball over], do everything you can to double down on the next defensive possession to win the ball back. I think that’s where we fall short.”

‍Lineups
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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

United

PG – Tyson Walker / Campbell Blogg

SG – Milton Doyle / Dash Daniels / Tom Wilson

SF – Chris Goulding / Tanner Krebs / Malith Machar

PF – Finn Delany / Kyle Bowen / Tom Koppens

C – Jesse Edwards / Fabijan Krslovic

‍Ins and Outs

Taipans

Ins – Mojave King, Lachlan Barker

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

United

Ins – Finn Delany

Outs – Shea Ili (hamstring)