McVeigh magic lifts Taipans past Bullets

Jack McVeigh delivered when the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans needed him most, inspiring the Taipans to a thrilling 97-91 victory over the Brisbane Bullets at the Cairns Convention Centre on Thursday night.

With the game hanging in the balance and the home crowd roaring, McVeigh took control of the contest.

The marquee man scored 10 of his 15 points in a frantic final quarter, including back-to-back three-pointers and a thunderous dunk that helped turn the contest back in Cairns’ favour after Brisbane had opened the final term with six unanswered points.

McVeigh did more than score. He also delivered two crucial assists down the stretch, first finding Jonah Bolden for a huge three-pointer before setting up Keanu Pinder for a lay-up as the Taipans closed out a six-point victory and made it two wins in a row.

Jaylon Brown continued his outstanding form with a team-high and NBL career-high 25 points, adding four assists and three rebounds.

Bolden was again enormous for the Taipans, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Malique Lewis added 15 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Pinder did a little bit of everything in an impressive all-round performance, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

After Brisbane surged ahead early in the fourth quarter, McVeigh responded emphatically. Back-to-back triples followed by a powerful slam sent the Cairns crowd into full voice and put the Taipans back in command at 88-83.

It was the decisive burst in a game that had swung back and forth all night.

McVeigh had attempted just three shots in the opening half but began to assert himself after the break, knocking down an early three-pointer in the third before finding Lewis in transition for a breakaway slam as Cairns reclaimed the lead, 55-54.

Bolden also stamped himself on the contest after being inserted into the starting five for the second half, scoring eight points in the third quarter.

Reyne Smith then provided another spark late in the quarter, scoring five points to send the Taipans into the final break with a narrow 74-72 advantage.

BROWN’S OPENING-HALF BLITZ

Brown picked up exactly where he left off against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena last round, exploding for 21 points in the opening half.

The import guard was electric across the first 20 minutes, shooting 70 per cent and repeatedly finding ways to punish the Bullets’ defence.

While Brown went scoreless in the third quarter, his influence never disappeared.

With McVeigh taking over offensively late, Brown embraced a different role and continued to impact the game without needing the ball in his hands.

Then, when Cairns needed another big bucket, he delivered.

Brown attacked the basket for a tough finish that pushed the Taipans ahead 92-88 and gave the Taipans valuable breathing room late in the contest.

His 25 points marked a new NBL career-high and continued an impressive run of form, with Brown increasingly finding ways to influence games at both ends of the floor and while playing off the ball.

PAUL MAKES LONG-AWAITED NBL DEBUT

After missing the opening five games of the NBL27 season with an ankle injury, Next Star Luke Paul finally got his first taste of NBL basketball against the Bullets.

The 17-year-old entered the game with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter and wasted little time making his presence felt, picking up an early steal before his first shot, a step-back jumper over Tyrell Harrison, narrowly rimmed out.

His first NBL points soon followed.

The 198cm point guard confidently attacked the basket early in the second quarter, finishing a tough drive for his first points at the professional level.

Paul also found himself matched up against seasoned Bullets guard Mitch Norton, giving the highly rated teenager an immediate introduction to the demands of NBL basketball.

He returned late in the third quarter alongside veteran point guard Shaun Bruce, who passed a game-day fitness test, allowing the Duke University commit opportunities to spend time playing off the ball.

For one of Australian basketball’s brightest young prospects, it was the first chapter of an exciting journey.

HINTON LEADS BULLETS’ CHARGE

While much of the attention surrounding Brisbane has centred on point guard Arnas Velicka, import swingman Nate Hinton showed exactly why he will demand plenty of attention this season.

Hinton caught fire in the second quarter and went into half-time with 16 points before continuing to attack after the break.

The 196cm swingman consistently put pressure on the rim and helped Brisbane stay within striking distance before the visitors regained the lead early in the fourth quarter.

Hinton finished with a game-high 30 points, while centre Tyrell Harrison produced a monster performance inside with 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Their work helped Brisbane win the rebounding battle 55-37, but the Taipans found the answers when the game was there to be won.

Velicka finished with eight points, eight assists and five rebounds, while Max Mackinnon came close to a triple-double with nine points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Taipans return to action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Wollongong to face the Illawarra Hawks, tipping off at 4pm AEST.

With back-to-back wins now secured, Cairns will go on the road looking to keep the momentum rolling.
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‍CAIRNS TAIPANS 97 (J Brown 25, Bolden 16, Lewis 15, J McVeigh 15) def BRISBANE BULLETS 91 (Hinton 30, Harrison 23) at the Cairns Convention Centre.

BOX SCORE