Game Preview: Taipans v Wildcats

Friday night in Perth is set for fireworks as the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans open their Round 20 double-header with a heavyweight clash against the in-form Wildcats at RAC Arena.

With momentum, ladder pressure and pride all in play, the Taipans will be hunting a statement road win under the bright lights.

‍Where and When

Friday, 6 February at RAC Arena, Perth (8:30pm 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 JackJumpers (93)
Cairns Taipans (92) v Sydney Kings (106)

Perth Wildcats (101) v SEM Phoenix (93)
Illawarra Hawks (99) v Perth Wildcats (106)

The Taipans exploded out of the blocks and built a 24-point second-quarter lead, but a relentless second-half surge from Kendric Davis (35 points), former Taipan Torrey Craig (13 points) and the Sydney Kings turned Blackout Round late as Cairns fell 106-92 on Sunday afternoon at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Back home less than 48 hours after an overtime win over Tasmania, the Taipans came out flying in the Blackout kits, piling on their highest first-quarter score of the season to lead 34-17. 

Kyrin Galloway, going up against his younger brother Jaylin, set the tone with early threes and impact on both ends, while Mojave King attacked downhill as the Orange Army rose with every burst in transition.

The Kings’ deeper rotation and rising defensive pressure swung the contest after the break, with Sydney hitting the front early in the fourth and controlling the finish through waves of contributors.

Lachlan Barker led Cairns with a career-high 18 points, with Jack McVeigh, Kyrin Galloway and Mojave King adding 17 apiece. Portland guard Andrew Andrews finished with 12 points and 10 assists.

‍Last Time They Met

McVeigh poured in a valiant 34 points, but the Taipans were overrun 106-69 by the Perth Wildcats the last time these sides met in Round 18. ‍

‍The travelling side struggled to get back into the game before the final siren with McVeigh Cairns’ lone double-digit scorer, while Andrews finished with eight points, eight assists and two steals.‍

‍Elijah Pepper scored a career-high 25 points (including seven three-pointers) in his last outing against Cairns. ‍

‍Former Cleveland Cavalier Dylan Windler notched a double-double for Perth in their round 4 matchup with 26 points and 11 rebounds.‍

‍The Wildcats are currently without their point guards David Duke Jr. (elbow) and Jaron Rillie (Hamstring).‍

‍The playmaking responsibilities have been shared around the side in their absence with Ben Henshall, along with Kristian Doolittle and Pepper all chipping in to fill the void of their star import.‍

‍Perth is 7-1 since Ben Henshall moved into the starting lineup as primary playmaker in Round 15, with the in-form team using the same starting five in each of its last eight games, the longest active streak in the league. ‍

‍Wildcats marquee big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is averaging 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and a league-high 1.6 blocks per game, while Oklahoma forward Doolittle is averaging 16 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. ‍

Mojave King - Game 50

Explosive guard Mojave King will play his 50th game for Cairns in Friday’s clash.

The New Zealand international is coming off a terrific weekend after recording a career-high nine rebounds and 17 points against Sydney.

While King was the Taipans' most dangerous threat in the first half against the JackJumpers on Friday night with 16 points by the main break. 

The 23-year-old is averaging 10.6 points per game on 44 per cent shooting from the field and 38 per cent from three since joining the club in late October. 

Heading into Round 20, Andrew Andrews ranks second for assists per game (7.6) this season, while McVeigh ranks fourth for points per game (21.8) and fifth for true shooting (64.4 per cent) this season. 

McVeigh recorded a career-high eight three-pointers in his last outing against Perth in Round 18.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:

"The last couple of games have been great with some strong individual performances from Kyrin Galloway, Mojave King, Kody Stattmann, Lachlan Barker and everybody across the board.

“We want to make sure we’ve got all of the guys firing to get over a tough Perth team.

“They’re fighting for the top six. This time of year, wins and points percentage are important for them.

"They’re not going to take us lightly. They’re trying to build momentum heading into the post-season.”

Lineups

‍Taipans

PG – Andrew Andrews / Lachlan Barker / Kyle Adnam

SG – Mojave King / Kody Stattmann / Lloyd McVeigh

SF –  Jack McVeigh

PF – Kyrin Galloway / Admiral Schofield

C – Marcus Lee / Jed Richardson‍

Wildcats

PG – Ben Henshall

SG – Elijah Pepper / Dontae Russo-Nance

SF – Dylan Windler / Lat Mayen

PF – Kristian Doolittle / Jesse Wagstaff

C – Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. / David Okwera / Noa Kouakou-Heugue

‍Ins and Outs

‍Taipans

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

Outs – Sam Waardenburg (ankle), Alex Higgins-Titsha (wrist), Reyne Smith (foot), Mawot Mag (foot) ‍

Wildcats

Outs – David Duke Jr. (elbow), Jaron Rillie (hamstring), Sunday Dech (illness)