Taipans keep building at Blitz in JackJumpers clash

Stephen Zimmerman was again impressive and a frontcourt duo with him and Nate Jawai showed promising signs in the second hit out at the NBL Blitz for the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans against the Tasmania JackJumpers.

The JackJumpers would end up making history by winning their first ever game ahead of their entry into the NBL for the 2021/22 season, winning 81-66 at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, but again there was plenty to be encouraged about for new Taipans coach Adam Forde.

The performance of Zimmerman down low was impressive as he performed well for the second straight game as part of the NBL Blitz while Jawai made his first appearance after not playing against the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday, and appeared geared up for another strong campaign in orange.

While fellow import Tahjere McCall wasn’t out there for Cairns, Scott Machado worked into gear nicely running the point well to get his new and returning teammates into the game, and accustomed to playing with one another.

There might be plenty to work on for the Snakes coming out of the second of five games during the Blitz, but there was also good signs too. 

Just tidying up the ball handling and improving on 23 turnovers, and shooting a little better than the 38 per cent from the field, 31 per cent from deep, and 50 per cent from the foul line, and things could begin to click quickly.

Backing up a strong first up showing against Adelaide during Sunday's overtime loss, Stephen Zimmerman was again impressive inside for Cairns finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds on the back of shooting 6/10 from the floor.

Majok Deng looks ready for a significant impact for the Snakes this season too putting up 12 points and six rebounds including going 2/4 from beyond the arc while Mirko Djeric contributed 11 points, five rebounds and two assists to go with knocking down a pair of three balls.

Nate Jawai warmed into the game nicely too ahead of a seventh season with the Taipans for seven points and four rebounds while Scott Machado finished with five points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Bul Kuol hit 2/3 from three-point land for his six points.

Kouat Noi added three points and four rebounds, Jordan Ngatai three points, Keanu Pinder three and Jarrod Kenny chimed in with three rebounds and three assists, and fellow Kiwi Brayden Inger two rebounds.

The Taipans are next in action at the NBL Blitz in Tasmania on Sunday taking on the Perth Wildcats.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ

CQUNIVERSITY CAIRNS TAIPANS 66 (Zimmerman 16, Deng 12, Djeric 11) 

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 81 (Adams 15, Magette 13)

BOX SCORE