Round 17: Taipans v Bullets

CQUniversity Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets
(Cairns Convention Centre, 7:00pm)
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Official Post-Game Venue: Reef Hotel Casino 

LAST MEETING

After a six-game winning streak, it’s been a two-game slide after the Taipans dropped to the JackJumpers last Friday, before falling short against Phoenix on Wednesday. However, Cairns enter the fourth Queensland clash of the season 3-0 and are looking to sweep the Bullets for a second consecutive season (which would make it eight straight!). The last time they met, Cairns dominated in Brisbane for a 107-81 win, behind 47 combined points from Sam Waardenburg and DJ Hogg.

LINE-UP

Keanu Pinder was finding his feet in his long-awaited return, before suffering a nasty eye injury in Melbourne. He is scheduled for further testing early next week.

For the visitors, the Bullets are down Jason Cadee, Harry Froling and Tanner Krebs.

LOOK FOR

The Traffic Warden. Sam Waardenburg has done brilliantly filling in for Keanu Pinder when he was out with an ankle, and will be looking to step up again in his absence. Waardenburg led the team in scoring (24 points) in the last match against the Bullets, and it will be a fascinating battle inside with Aron Baynes improving as the season progresses.

Fast fact: 13 of the last 15 Taipans games have been decided by single figures! 

LATEST WORDS

“Everything that’s making us play bad basketball is 100 per cent fixable, but we've got nine days left in the season and we’re still not guaranteed a play-in spot, we’ve got to really lock in and finish the season on the right note so we roll into finals,” – Head Coach Adam Forde

“I feel super prepared for the playoffs, I've been prepared for a long time. I think even those questions about me playing in the league last year or this year, it's the same question and every time I step up an answer. It's no different with the playoffs, I'm ready,” – Ben Ayre