Preview: Round 17 vs NZ Breakers | Cairns Convention Centre

When: 6.30pm (AEST), Thursday 24 March 2022
Where: Cairns Convention Centre
Broadcast: ESPN; Kayo

The Bullets are set to face the New Zealand Breakers at a crowdless Cairns Convention Centre tonight. Brisbane are still without both Nathan Sobey and Tyrell Harrison due to injury. Both teams will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle following a loss last round.

WHO WON LAST TIME?
Brisbane 92 (Franks 23, Cadee 22, Moss 10) d New Zealand 74 (Randle 20, Dieng 17, Delany 12, Siva 12) – Round 14, MyState Bank Arena, Hobart

Jason Cadee put on a show, scoring 12 points in opening four minutes of the third term to turn a nine-point ball-game into a 22-point rout. Cadee finished with 22 points at 72 per cent, 5/6 from deep 9 assists, 4 steals and a game-high +25. He had plenty of help from Robert Franks, who finished with 23 points at 70 per cent, 10 boards and a pair of dimes.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST START?
After slow start at home, despite fighting hard in the final three quarters, the Bullets were unable to recoup the lead, falling to the visiting Cairns Taipans.

The Breakers had no issues with a slow start in Perth, racking up 34 first-quarter points behind their fast-moving half-court offence. As they tired, however, the Wildcats were able to take the lead and run away victors.

WHO’S IN FORM?

Deng Deng – Deng has become hugely important for the Bullets providing a great deal of energy on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Switching between PF and C, Deng has contributed 25 points at 75 per cent inside and 12 rebounds across the past two games.

Robert Franks has also been impressive for the Bullets of late, producing 21.8ppg and 8.6rpg over the past five games, while shooting a sizzling 18/33 from range at 55 per cent.

Peyton Siva – At times the past two weeks against Perth, the Breakers’ subtle variations of movement into their Spanish ball-screen action has seemed unstoppable. Much of that has to do with Siva, whose timing using on-balls is exquisite, and pull-up triple against drops is money. He nailed 6/13 from deep and dished 16 dimes to 3 turnovers in those two outings.

STATS LEADERS

BULLETS
Points: Robert Franks 17.5ppg (#5 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Robert Franks, 8.15rpg (#6 in the NBL)
Assists: Jason Cadee, 4.8apg (#7 in the NBL)

BREAKERS

Points: Yanni Wetzell 16.4ppg (#9 in the NBL)
Rebounds: Yanni Wetzell, 7.75rpg (#9 in the NBL)
Assists: Peyton Siva, 4.9apg (#6 in the NBL) 

ON THE RECORD

Following last weekend’s loss, star forward Lamar Patterson was lost for words.

“I felt like we had a good week going into the game for the most part, I honestly don’t know, I wish I could give you the answer but I don’t know,” he said.

“It’s probably been a story of our season so far, having a quarter that pretty much loses us the game, it’s happened more than once now... The slow starts or the bad quarters are the ones that are killing us right now.”

Coach James Duncan was frustrated following last week’s loss, but implore’s his team to step up in these last eight games of the season.

Against Cairns, after Patterson scored the opening basket in four seconds, the Taipans ripped their hosts a new one courtesy of a 32-7 run.

“We emphasised the start of the game repeatedly throughout the course of the week. We emphasised the start of the third quarter throughout the week. We did not respond to the challenge,” Duncan said.

“There’s still eight more games left in the season and we’re trying to build something here. There’s definitely a culture shift going on right now,” he said.

“In general I’ll just say everybody has an opinion, but actions are the truth.”

NEXT HOME GAME

Next up in Round 17, the Bullets take on the Tasmania JackJumpers, presented by Bob Jane T-Marts. Tip-Off is at 4:30pm on Saturday March 26 at Nissan Arena. Get your tickets HERE.