Snakes show more fight at home to Kings

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans put in a much more spirited effort on Sunday back at Cairns Convention Centre and while it was still a loss to the Sydney Kings, it proves something to build upon.

There was some heavy soul searching done by the Taipans following Friday night's loss also on their home floor against the Tasmania JackJumpers. There was also the boost of the return of both Nate Jawai and Tahjere McCall to take on the Kings in front of the Orange Army as well.

Sydney arrived in Far North Queensland as the hottest team in the NBL and the Kings were able to open up a lead as big as 22 points on the way to the eventual 86-77 victory, but there were encouraging signs from a Taipans perspective.

To the full credit of the Snakes, they closed the game out by scoring 18 of the last 22 points to pull the final margin back under double-figures.

Tahjere McCall went 4/9 from deep on his way to 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Snakes with Majok Deng adding 20 points and eight boards, and Bul Kuol 15 points.

Scott Machado finished with seven points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists, Kouat Noi five points, four rebounds and two assists, Stephen Zimmerman five points and seven boards, and Nate Jawai two points, a rebound and an assists on his return for NBL game 200.

Taipans coach Adam Forde couldn’t fault his team's effort and liked the fight they showed to the end. Now it's just all about figuring out how to be able to produce that for longer.

"I think you could see it in those last few minutes and I wish there was a fifth period for us because that's how we want to go about it. After Friday I was extremely disappointed of the way we went about our business and it was looking of rough too especially in that first quarter," Forde said.

"We made a couple of charges at it and when we got it back to that 10-pointish margin we missed some open looks and finishes at the rim. Then Sydney went on a bit of a run again and we would chip away and then miss a couple of threes, but they were good looks within the offence. 

"You could think at one point when you're down 22 points and this is what disappointed me about Tassie and what I appreciated about the effort in that last period because you could roll over and be defeated. 

"Or you can have a bit of pride and take ownership, and represent the jersey and the community and put a bit of fighting spirit into it. There was still a lot of missed shots and turnovers, but I can't fault the effort. 

"Everybody needs to play like that the entire game. Once we unlock that secret we'll bottle it up and use it for the rest of the season."

Jaylen Adams was superb once more for the Kings at the point with another 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Jarell Martin might have battled foul trouble but still put up 15 points and four boards.

Coming off what their coach called an embarrassing night on Friday, the Taipans started well with a pair of Keanu Pinder free-throws and then a Bul Kuol triple. However, the Kings then worked into the game and scored 17 of the game's next 18 points to suddenly lead 17-6.

Jaylen Adams, Jarell Martin and DJ Vasiljevic were all just getting started and then Ian Clark closed the quarter with a three ball of his own for Sydney to lead 27-15.

The Kings weren’t done yet and Vasiljevic hit the first five points of the second quarter to stretch their lead to 17. Angus Glover then drained a triple as well to throw the gauntlet right down to the home team to respond.

The Taipans were in love with the three ball and Tahjere McCall and Kuol did drain one each, and eventually they did get the margin back to single figures, but by half-time Sydney was still in control leading 44-31.

Trading three-pointers to start the second half wasn’t quite how Cairns were going to back into it. Kuol and McCall hit from deep for the Taipans, but Martin hit two up the other end for the Kings.

While you couldn’t fault the endeavour of the Snakes, by late in the third period the margin was out to 17 again and still 14 by three quarter-time.

By the time Adams nailed a wide open triple three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Kings' lead was back to 18 and effectively the contest was over. Martin and Adams hit threes to put the margin out to 22 and even though Cairns finished the game out well, the Kings still won by nine.

The Taipans next take on the Adelaide 36ers on the road on Friday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 15

CQUNIVERSITY CAIRNS TAIPANS 77 (McCall 21, Deng 20, Kuol 15)

SYDNEY KINGS 86 (Adams 24, Martin 15, Vasiljevic 13) 

BOX SCORE