Game Preview: Taipans v United

Hosting their second ever Boxing Day fixture at the Cairns Convention Centre, the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will take on Melbourne United for the last time this season.

Walking into the Cairns Convention Centre on Thursday night, the two teams have split their two battles – both of which were won by double digits with the winning lineup running away in the second half.

Only competing at John Cain Arena so far this season, their Round 14 encounter flips the table with Melbourne United tasked with a trek to Far North Queensland 72 hours after their defeat to the Tasmania JackJumpers.

Where and When

Thursday, 26 December 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

Their Last Battle: Cairns Taipans (63) v Melbourne United (106) in Round 6

Welcoming back a series of injuries, the Taipans will be closing in on full strength as Sam Waardenburg and Dillon Stith returning to action, as AK Gak remains on the sidelines.

Cairns’ injury woes were the main topic of discussion back in Round 6, as the side rolled out a reduced lineup for their second game in a road double-header – missing Taran Armstrong, Tanner Groves and Pedro Bradshaw – leading to the 43-point defeat.

As the lineup steadily returns to full strength for the first time since Round 3 – currently only missing AK Gak – momentum is building for the side to snap their streak, with only one of their losses since Round 9 being by double digits.

Returning to Cairns after falling only three points short to their Queensland rivals, the Taipans were able to keep up with the fast-paced Brisbane Bullets with neither team able to build out to a double-digit margin.

Hitting 17 triples across the night, and shooting from the field at 57%, their efficiency couldn't get them across the line with Brisbane utilising 16 more chances to push them across the line – generated through their work on the glass where the doubled Cairns’ offensive rebounds.

Without Sam Waardenburg, AK Gak and Dillon Stith to compete for rebounds, the job fell to Tanner Groves, Pedro Bradshaw and Alex Higgins-Titsha who combined for 21 rebounds on the night, however will be looking forward to backup arriving for Boxing Day.

Struggling with their own losing streak, United will be flying into Cairns on their own four game losing streak, with their last victory coming against the struggling New Zealand Breakers who are on an eight-game slide themselves.

The past ladder leaders have also had their own issues with injuries, with the Victorians losing both key players Marcus Lee and Chris Goulding since the FIBA break, both of whom returned to action on Monday night.

Despite United welcoming their players back, they were unable to catch up after Tasmania launched out to an early lead, with Melbourne conceding 36 points in the first quarter alone.

Otherwise dominating the matchup in most non-scoring stats – including a 51 to 34 rebounding count – United were unable to overcome the early deficit for their sixth loss at home this season, before being forced onto the road ahead of the Australian Open.

Player to Watch

As the Taipans welcome back Sam Waardenburg for some Boxing Day action, the forward will be looking to continue his form after averaging his best numbers since arriving in the NBL. Entering Round 14 as one of only three players in the league averaging at least 15 points and seven rebounds, he will be a welcomed presence on both ends of the floor – especially after his three-block performance in Round 11.

However, United will be rolling out a series of tough lineups to face the New Zealander, including Marcus Lee, and former Taipans Rob Loe and Jack White. Pulling down just under 20 boards per game between them, crashing the glass will be a priority for Waardenburg to ensure that Melbourne don’t repeat their 21 offensive rebound performance against Tasmania.

What’s Been Said

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:

"Pedro has a great motor on him, and even we he brought the ball down and the defender went under, he just pulled it and shot it, and that's a really big staple of what his game is. He's a career 40% shooter, and he started off a little bit rough but the numbers are always going to balance out.

"What I love the most about this group is that they're not a bunch of old heads that are now just collecting a paycheck, rolling in and going through the motions. We still do film, we still do vitamins, we still get in and no-one sits out of practice. We're just gonna keep competing and fighting because that's what this group has committed to me.

"Waardenburg is ticking all the boxes to do the right things to get him back on the floor, but we want to make sure that we're not rushing him back because he's having a great year, and we're hopeful AK is a little bit longer. But it'll probably lift everyone's spirits if we see big Waardenburg suiting up for us."

The Lineups

Taipans

PG – Taran Armstrong / Jackson Makoi / Kyle Adnam

SG – Rob Edwards / Jonah Antonio

SF – Pedro Bradshaw / Alex Higgins-Titsha

PF – Sam Waardenburg / Kyrin Galloway / Kody Stattmann

C – Tanner Groves / Dillon Stith

United

PG – Shea Ili / Flynn Cameron

SG – Matthew Dellavedova / Ian Clark

SF – Chris Goulding / Tanner Krebs

PF – Jack White / Kyle Bowen

C – Marcus Lee / Rob Loe / Akech Aliir

Ins and Outs 

Taipans

Ins – Sam Waardenburg, Dillon Stith, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kody Stattmann

Outs – AK Gak (knee), Tad Dufelmeier (Nominated Injury Replacement)

United

Ins and Outs – N/A