Sobey heroics not quite enough in Sunshine Stoush

Despite some heroics from captain Nathan Sobey in the final quarter with 16 of his 31 points, the Brisbane Bullets weren’t quite able to overrun the Cairns Taipans, with the Snakes claiming the three-point win.

The Bullets had started the NBL24 season with wins against the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers ahead of hosting the Taipans in a Sunshine Stoush at Nissan Arena on Saturday night.

Both teams were fresh off playing, and winning on Thursday, and it turned out to be quite the dramatic evening that fittingly went right down to the wire.

Although Cairns led by 16 points early in the fourth quarter, Sobey led the Bullets back into the contest and it was a one-point game with a minute to play. But it was Cairns who ultimately held on to win 89-86.

Despite the result, there was again a lot to like in the fighting effort from the Bullets. Sobey finished with 31 points including going 12/12 at the foul line.

Chris Smith added 12 points, three rebounds and two steals for Brisbane, Sam McDaniel 11 points and eight boards, Isaac White nine points, and Tyrell Harrison eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Shannon Scott finished with four points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds, Mitch Norton four points and three assists, Rocco Zikarsky four points, and Baynes three points and six rebounds all before half-time.

Patrick Miller top-scored for Cairns with 21 points and five assists with Next Star Bobi Klintman delivering 19 points and six boards, and Akoldah Gak 13 points.

It was another slow start out of the gates for the Bullets with the Taipans scoring the opening seven points of the game, but this time the response was swift with Nathan Sobey, Sam McDaniel and Chris Smith combining for the next seven points.

Then despite Sobey adding another seven points late in the opening quarter for Brisbane, Cairns kept the momentum going and went into quarter-time leading 26-18.

Things tightened up in the second quarter and the Bullets were able to get back within five points late in the half thanks to a three-point play from Isaac White, and then three after a finish from Mitch Norton.

However, the end of the half saw the focus on a fiery clash competing for a rebound between Aron Baynes and Lat Mayen that continued down the floor, and led to a tech foul against both players, and another to the bench of Brisbane.

In the end, Cairns went into half-time leading 43-38 with the Bullets having done well to force the Snakes into 11 turnovers but only shooting at 37 per cent .

Coming out of half-time and both Baynes and Mayen had been ejected, and the Taipans took charge in the third quarter putting up 27 points to just 18 from the Bullets to lead 70-56 by three quarter-time.

Cairns extended its lead to 16 to start the fourth frame but the Bullets came to life starting with a Tyrell Harrison inside finish. Sobey then scored eight straight points with a pair of threes, Smith hit from deep and suddenly it was a three-point ball game.

The Taipans were able to steady again and were back up nine after three balls to Bobi Klintman and AK Gak, but Sobey kept pressing and three successive turnovers the Bullets forced had the margin one after back-to-back and-one plays from Sobey and McDaniel.

The game was up for grabs with a minute to play but in the end the Bullets couldn't quite force overtime with a rushed three from White on the buzzer and the Snakes held on to win by three.

The Bullets will remain at home to host the defending champion Sydney Kings on Friday night back at Nissan Arena.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 2 

BRISBANE BULLETS 86 (Sobey 31, Smith 12, McDaniel 11) 

CAIRNS TAIPANS 89 (Miller 21, Klintman 19, Gak 13)

BOX SCORE