Bullets hit back in Sunshine Stoush

What a difference 48 hours can make. On the back of a night to forget in Perth, the Brisbane Bullets came to Cairns on Sunday and beat the Taipans 102-84 and shot up to fourth spot in the NBL.

The Bullets came into Round 16 on a four-game winning streak and with plenty of momentum, but Friday night in Perth against the Wildcats went anything but to plan with a 32-point defeat.

That left Brisbane needing to dig deep less than 48 hours later at Cairns Convention Centre up against the Taipans, but what they delivered was one of their most complete performances of the season for the 18-point win.

What the win means is that the Bullets improve to a 12-12 record to sit in fourth position now just behind the 12-11 Tasmania JackJumpers and ahead of the Sydney Kings (11-12) and Taipans (11-13).

It was an outstanding all-round performance from the outset from the Bullets. They would lead the entire way, by as much as 21 points and end up winning by 18 to also wrap up the season series against the Snakes.

Brisbane scored 52 points in the paint and had 18 offensive rebounds with Tyrell Harrison continuing his career-best form with another 16 points, 13 rebounds and two steals on 7/11 shooting.

Fellow centre Aron Baynes enjoyed somewhat of a homecoming and copped the jeers from the crowd, but produced 15 points and eight rebounds including making all three of his three-point attempts.

There were plenty more contributors for Brisbane with Nathan Sobey delivering 18 points, five assists and four rebounds, Sam McDaniel 14 points and five boards, and Chris Smith 11 points and two assists.

Mitch Norton also had eight points and two assists, Casey Prather an encouraging eight points and three rebounds in 16 minutes, Josh Bannan five points and three assists, Shannon Scott five points, three steals and two rebounds, and Rocco Zikarsky two points and a rebound late.

Bul Kuol top-scored for Cairns with 19 points while Patrick Miller added 14 points, Tahjere McCall 13 and Akoldah Gak 11.

Tyrell Harrison was the shining light from Friday night in Perth for the Bullets and he kept that momentum going on Sunday starting with the first bucket of the game with a dunk.

Nathan Sobey hit a three soon after and then Harrison and Sobey combined to give Brisbane the 12-4 lead inside the opening three minutes by scoring all 12 of the Bullets points.

The Bullets also went on another run to close the first quarter including Chris Smith and Aron Baynes combining for a 7-0 run to see them take the 26-17 lead into the quarter-time break on the road.

The Bullets kept on feeling good and that lead blew out to 15 points early in the second frame on the back of another 7-0 run capped off with a triple from Shannon Scott leading to a Cairns timeout.

Sam McDaniel hit a triple soon after that, Casey Prather then came in to provide a spark with five quick points made up of a three-pointer and a smooth floater as the lead got out to 18 heading towards half-time.

Baynes made it 21 by the half-time break with a three ball with Brisbane up 61-40 on the back of shooting 55 per cent from the floor while taking 15 extra field goals than the Taipans.

Cairns made a run scoring nine of the opening 11 points to start the second half but the Bullets kept on having the answers and it was Baynes and McDaniel who combined for a 6-2 run.

Then again the Snakes closed the gap to 10, but Sobey answered with an and-one, Mitch Norton closed the third period with four points and Josh Bannan added a three-point play for Brisbane to remain in control leading by 17.

The Snakes did again attempt to mount a fightback to start the fourth, but it wouldn’t last and a pair of three-pointers to Baynes that got the locals up and about, and then another from Prather ensured the Bullets remained in control.

Rocco Zikarsky came on to throw down a dunk late, Sobey did the same in transition to wrap things up for the 18-point win to ensure Brisbane wins the series against the Taipans this season.

The Bullets now have four games remaining this season over the next four weeks beginning on Friday night back at Nissan Arena playing host to the league-leading Melbourne United.

From there, the Bullets are away to the Illawarra Hawks, at home to the Adelaide 36ers and then close the regular season away to the New Zealand Breakers on February 16.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 16

BRISBANE BULLETS 102 (Sobey 18, Harrison 16, Baynes 15)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 84 (Kuol 19, Miller 14, McCall 13)

BOX SCORE