Cairns Taipans continued their dominance of the Sunshine Stoush, demolishing the Brisbane Bullets within the Queensland Derby.
Catch up with all of the spherical 14 NBL23 motion.
Taipans proceed Queensland dominance over Brisbane
– Greg Davis
The Queensland Derby may change its identify from the “Sunshine Stoush” to the “Orange Crush” after Cairns claimed their seventh-straight win over an insipid Brisbane in a spiteful 107-81 thrashing at Nissan Arena on Thursday night time.
The Taipans obtained out to a dominant 20-point lead within the first half when Cairns guard Tahjere McCall obtained below the pores and skin of the undisciplined dwelling aspect who had been additionally crippled by a dysfunctional offence and an absence of depth in defence.
The Snakes moved to a 13-7 file with out head coach Adam Forde who was sidelined via sickness and star centre Keanu Pinder (ankle) whereas the ninth-placed Bullets slumped to 5-15 with arguably their poorest efficiency in a horror marketing campaign – given it was at dwelling.
Taipans forwards DJ Hogg (23 factors) and Sam Waardenburg (24 factors) led the best way for the rampant guests who had 5 gamers in double figures as they relentlessly blew Brisbane off the court docket for a clear sweep of the “Sunshine Stoush” in 2022-23.
Bullets star Nathan Sobey went scoreless within the first half when Brisbane hit simply three three-pointers from 15 makes an attempt, dedicated 10 turnovers and obtained comprehensively out-rebounded.
It solely obtained worse for Brisbane as Cairns prolonged their benefit to 32 factors late within the third time period as Sobey completed with simply two factors whereas Tyler Johnson performed a lone hand for the Bullets with 32 factors. Kody Stattmann was subsequent finest with 10 factors after solely coming into the sport within the ultimate time period.
An 11-0 run within the second quarter helped the Taipans soar out to a 20-point buffer simply earlier than halftime once they finally held a 55-37 cushion on the foremost break after main by six at quarter-time. They had been up by 26 on the final change.
KEY POINTS
– Like old style derby, tempers flared within the first time period after Bullets ahead DJ Mitchell and Cairns guard Tahjere McCall engaged in a little bit of push and shove. It rapidly escalated with a variety of gamers from either side charging in to get entangled with Taipan Mirko Djeric copping a blow from Mitchell who was charged with an unsportsmanlike foul. Bullets ahead Tanner Krebs obtained upset with McCall within the second time period when there was one other spot fireplace and Krebs was pinged with a technical foul for taunting. McCall then tangled with Aron Baynes in an eventful first half.
– The Taipans had been with out head coach Adam Forde resulting from sickness and was changed within the scorching seat by senior assistant coach Kerry Williams. Williams isn’t any rookie having been part of the Australian Boomers teaching workers for the latest FIBA World Cup qualifiers. He additionally guided the Cairns Marlins – the crew he additionally represented as a participant – to the semi-finals of the NBL1 North competitors final season.
– Bullets large man Aron Baynes returned from a persistent again damage and was injected straight into the Brisbane beginning 5 with breakout centre Gorjok Gak relegated to the bench regardless of his latest red-hot kind. Baynes was an offensive focus early with Cairns lacking their star Keanu Pinder. But they rapidly reverted to jacking long-range photographs. Madness.
– Brisbane had misplaced the fourth quarter of their final 10 video games earlier than the Queensland derby. It didn’t matter what they did within the final time period as the sport was over by halftime. The solely combat the Bullets confirmed was once they wished to hit Tahjere McCall. They appeared off from the opening tip-off and didn’t enhance. The season can not end quickly sufficient for the membership that has been a mismanaged mess on and off the court docket in 2022-23.
Originally revealed as NBL23: Cairns Taipans proceed successful streak in Queensland Derby towards Brisbane Bullets
