Preview: Round 10 vs Cairns Taipans

There will be plenty on the line in the Queensland clash between the Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans this afternoon.

After dropping their last three outings, the Bullets will look to take down their interstate rivals. Cairns will also be looking to fire, sitting below Brisbane on the ladder, after dropping their last two.

Against the Taipans previously, Brisbane have won their last five games. This is also the first head-to-head game for coaches Adam Forde and James Duncan who worked together last year in the Sydney Kings coaching staff.  

The Taipans are the only team that has played at Nissan Arena that has not won at least one game with three losses in three visits. Adam Forde is also winless at Nissan with two losses as coach with the Kings last season. 

The Bullets have never lost three games in a row at Nissan Arena but have lost their last two against United and Phoenix.  

Brisbane’s four wins have all been high scoring. (96 and above) Their six losses have all been 83-points or less.

Key Details

BRISBANE BULLETS v CAIRNS TAIPANS

Where: Nissan Arena
When: Saturday, February 5, 4:30pm AEST
Watch on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Tickets: AVAILABLE HERE

In Form

Lamar Patterson – Lamar said he was set for a big season, and he wasn’t kidding, currently sitting fourth in scoring and 12th in assists. He’s gone up a level the past two games, putting in 47 points in 59 minutes at 50 per cent from the field.

Keanu Pinder – After a slow start, Pinder has become a key part of coach Adam Forde’s defensive game plan, usually picking up the opposition’s best frontcourt scorer. Against the Hawks, he also added 15 points, 10 rebounds and three o-boards to show he can play both ends.

Players to Watch

Robert Franks – After averaging 19ppg at 46 per cent and 9.9 rebounds in his opening seven games, he’s been limited to 7.7ppg, 27 per cent and 6.0 boards in the past three. We’ve seen Franks athleticism and ability to change a game on display and we’ll expect to see that again today.

Tahjere McCall- An aggressive, athletic two-way guard, Tahjere has averaged 17.5 points and 7.5 assists in his past two outings while getting to the foul line 18 times.

Stats Leaders

BULLETS
Points: Lamar Patterson 17.3ppg (#6 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Robert Franks, 8.8rpg (#6 in the NBL)
Assists: Nathan Sobey, 3.6apg
Blocks: Tyrell Harrison, 1.4bpg

TAIPANS
Points: Tahjere McCall, 16.8ppg
Rebounds: Stephen Zimmerman, 9rpg (#5 in the NBL)
Assists: Tahjere McCall, 6.6apg (#1 in the NBL)
Blocks: Keanu Pinder, 1.3bpg