Taipans fall to Tasmania

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans will need a miracle to make the top six, after being defeated by the Tasmania Jackjumpers 94-86 on Thursday night at the Cairns Convention Centre.

With only two matches left against top-ranked duo Perth (away) and Melbourne (home), Cairns needed to defeat Tasmania for the first time this season for a chance to make the play-in tournament.

Cairns' all-American backcourt Patrick Miller (30 points) and McCall (20) lacked support as the Taipans (11-15) slipped to eighth spot.

Miller and McCall, with minimal support elsewhere, kept Cairns in the hunt in the first half, at the end of which Tasmania led narrowly, 45-44.

Jackjumpers import Jordan Crawford caught fire in the third period, knocking down three triples to finally give the visitors some breathing space.

Miller exchanged heated words with Will Magnay after being bowled over by the big JackJumper, before Cairns coach Adam Forde received a technical foul for dissent, the Taipans' emotions bubbling over with the stakes so high.

After forcing Tasmania into a 24-second violation with 2.7 seconds left in the third term, the Snakes let the JackJumpers off the hook when Sam Waardenburg stepped out of bounds while launching a late prayer.

Possession was back with the JackJumpers with 1.5 seconds on the clock and Sean Macdonald drilled a bomb from right on the halfway line to put his side up 72-62 at three-quarter time.

Crawford and Clint Steindl continued to sizzle from outside in the fourth as the Jackies' lead bulged to 13 points, effectively ending Cairns' resistance and possibly their season.