Playoffs Game 1: Taipans v Kings

CQUniversity Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings
(Qudos Bank Arena, 6:30pm)
Watch together at the  Reef Hotel Casino
Watch LIVE on ESPN (Kayo Freebies)
Next Game: Friday 17 Feb, 6:30pm TICKETS

LAST MEETING

These teams have met three times this season, and the Taipans have the 2-1 edge; but this series was wrapped back in November. The last game in Round 8 was at the Convention Centre, where the Taipans had a convincing 94-88 win behind a 30-point, 13-board performance from Keanu Pinder. The Most Improved Player averages 21.3 points against Sydney and his absence will be duly noted. 

Fun fact: In 2006, the Taipans played their first ever semi-final game in franchise history, with a game against the Kings in Sydney - also on February 15.

LOOK FOR

The DJ. The incredibly consistent import forward scored a season-high 32 points in a crucial clash against Perth (20 in the first half) while Lat Mayen was important in his first starting role, playing 32 mins for eight points and six rebounds on Sunday. 

Note the Taipans last played on Sunday while the Kings have been sitting pretty with a handy 10-day break. 

LINE-UP

Keanu Pinder will be sidelined, and on the sidelines tonight in Sydney as he has travelled to join the team. Tahjere McCall (shoulder) remains a game-time decision.

LATEST WORDS 

“We know that we can match-up with them. Having a win against any team, does give you some kind of confidence. Knowing the game plan, knowing how to beat them, knowing where their deficiencies might be. But we also know it’s a playoff game, and everything tightens up a little bit. The defence is a little bit harder to play against, and you’ve got to scheme a little bit more because you’ve played them so many times, teams try different things. It a different ball game,” - assistant coach Sam Gruggen

“For the team, hopefully we can get the same result. Play hard, play together. That’s about it. Keep it simple. For me, I want to be aggressive, be focused, stay locked in the whole game, all 40 minutes of it,” - DJ Hogg