Taipans Fall to Surging 36ers in Christmas Eve Clash

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans brought physicality on Christmas Eve, but were left to rue missed chances in a tough 93-73 Ignite Cup loss to the 36ers on Wednesday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Cairns arrived determined to respond after their recent overtime loss against Adelaide and they set the tone early.

Sam Waardenburg opened the scoring with a two-hand dunk before confidently stepping out to knock down a three, deliberately hunting mismatches and forcing the 36ers to adjust. 

At the other end, Jack McVeigh delivered a first-quarter statement with a block at the rim on Bryce Cotton as Cairns stayed locked in during a tight opening that ended 23-21 in Adelaide’s favour.

Recently returned Waardenburg was central to everything the Taipans did well.

The Kiwi international punished switches, facilitated from the high post and anchored Cairns’ offence, reaching 11 points by halftime on efficient shooting.

Andrew Andrews complimented him early, repeatedly organising the offense and controlling the tempo.

Playing above his size, stretch four Kyrin Galloway twice turned away 36ers import Zylan Cheatham at the rim in the second quarter as Cairns matched Adelaide’s physicality.

Despite the 36ers briefly stretching the margin to 13 in the second quarter, Cairns fought back with grit, cutting the deficit to 50-42 at the main break.

The Taipans recorded five blocks by halftime and through collective pressure, kept five-time NBL MVP Cotton relatively quiet by his lofty standards through the opening half with 10 points (4-12 FG).

Cairns carried that momentum into the third quarter, surging to within three points at 57-54 with 6:18 remaining as Andrews continued to steady the ship and Waardenburg pushed his tally to 16.

Agile defender Mawot Mag, coming off the bench, battled hard after taking on the Cotton assignment, helping make life difficult for the league’s most dangerous scorer as Cairns played with a hard-nosed edge. 

But just as the Snakes threatened to turn the game, Adelaide found a decisive answer through Nick Rakocevic.

The import big delivered a career-best performance, finishing with 19 points (8-12 FG) and 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.

His ability to generate second-chance looks swung momentum, helping the 36ers push the margin back out to 73-61 at three-quarter time.

Despite Cairns’ continued fight, Adelaide broke the game open late in the fourth, while Cairns struggled at the free-throw line (11-19).

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
“I thought we had a lot of great looks that didn’t drop for us. There’s areas we obviously want to get better at offensively, but even at the foul line we [didn’t capitalise]. 

"There were good looks on the perimeter that generally we would back these guys to shoot it and go in. But Adelaide is just a really talented team. There were lapses and momentum swings that we self-inflicted from turnovers and fouls that Adelaide were able to [punish].

"The margin got out to double digits, we were able to bring it back to six points and it felt like we were in touch. But our margin of error had to be pretty small and with too many self-inflicted wounds and shots not falling, Adelaide had so many weapons to exploit it.”

Cotton finished with 22 points and 11 assists, though Cairns’ pressure forced him into a tough 6-23 FG shooting night.

Waardenburg finished with his season-high of 19 points (8-16 FG), five rebounds and four assists, while Andrews added 15 points (5-11 FG), six assists and five boards.

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans return to the Cairns Convention Centre to host SEM Phoenix in Round 15 for the New Year's Eve matchup at 6:30pm AEST. Grab your tickets HERE.