NBA Pre-Season: Raptors defeat Taipans

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans lined up against the Toronto Raptors for their fourth game in ten days - in a fourth location - with fatigued legs and jet lag, but they still battled on game in defeat, with the Raptors taking the win 134-93 for their first game of the pre-season at Scotiabank Arena. 

The Taipans were reduced to a nine-man squad, without Taran Armstrong due to injury (foot), Tahjere McCall waiting in the US for the birth of his first child and Sam Mennenga still ill.

As a result, Cairns brought in emergency reinforcement in Elfrid Payton, sending a starting five out of Patrick Miller, Buol Kuol, Bobi Klintman, Akoldah Gak and Sam Waardenburg, the latter returning from illness that caused him to miss the game against Washington last week.

The Raptors starting five was OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Dennis Schroder, Pascal Siakam.

The return of Waardenburg proved to be great for the squad with his jump shot igniting the Taipans scoring after 11 unanswered points from the Raptors to start the game.

Waardenburg would take four points, two rebounds, one assist and one block to stuff the stat sheet in the first quarter.  

For the game, he took 15 points (6/11FG, 3/1 3PT) along with four rebounds and two blocks to assist on the defensive end of proceedings.

At tip-off at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Cairns kicked off the game starting with possession before turnovers from both teams to slow the pace. That would change however with Anunoby hitting the three for Toronto with the assist from Scottie Barnes.

Threes from both Schroder and Scottie Barnes followed to extend the lead to nine before Waardenburg took the first points for the Taipans.

At the end of the first quarter, Raptors led by 21 points with 38-17 on the scoreboard, Lat Mayen led scoring for the Taipans heading into the break with five points, including a great three-pointer landed. Two-time NBA All Star Pascal Siakam put on a clinic in the first quarter with nine points, six rebounds and three assists.

The start of the second quarter started in similar fashion to the first, with a two-point play from Scottie Barnes. Kuol responded for the Taipans with the next points, after the Raptors missed two shots from deep.

Waardenburg showcased what he brings to this Cairns outfit in the second quarter with eight points and a rebound to lead his team back into the game.

Cairns was only outscored in the second quarter by six points showing a strong team effort from the Australian side trying to improve the margin, but the Raptors would head into the main break 71-44 leaders.

The Taipans won the third quarter 34-29 thanks to a huge ten-point effort from Payton, although the Raptors led into the final break 104-83, the Taipans reduced the lead to 21 points.

The Raptors blew the game apart in the final quarter, to win 134-93 in the Taipans final game in the NBA pre-season tournament.

For the home side, bench player Javon Freeman-Liberty led scoring with 15 points however Pascal Siakam was the standout performer with the NBA champion finishing on 12 points, including one from one deep and 71% clip shooting from the field (5/7). Siakam also finished with seven rebounds and five assists showing his continued contribution to the team.

Patrick Miller led scoring for the Taipans finishing with 22 points and five rebounds, six assists and a steal. Bobi Klintman showed also why he is being touted as a first-round pick in next year’s NBA draft with an individual contribution on nine points, seven rebounds and two steals.

For a player who only met the Taipans squad yesterday, Elfrid Payton bought in to this squad quickly flirting with a triple-double of 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

The Taipans will now receive a deserved break to head home, regroup and hit the hardcourt in their next game of the NBL on Australian shores when they head south to take on the Illawarra Hawks on October 26.