Cairns Taipans have inflicted additional distress on the struggling Brisbane Bullets after completely outclassing their Queensland rivals with a lopsided 107-81 victory to stay within the race for an computerized semi-final berth.
The Taipans made it seven straight wins over the Bullets in Thursday night time’s conflict at Nissan Arena to spice up their win-loss file to 13-7 as they try for a top-two end and a assured playoff spot.
Cairns used a 31-19 second-quarter surge to construct their largest halftime lead of the season then cruised by way of the second half with the house aspect offering little resistance as they crashed to their tenth loss within the final 12 video games.
With league MVP candidate Keanu Pinder lacking a 3rd straight sport with an ankle harm, Sam Waardenburg produced the most effective efficiency of his younger profession after compiling 24 factors and eight rebounds whereas DJ Hogg (23 factors) and Ben Ayre (20 factors) additionally thrived.
Taipans coach Adam Forde missed the sport by way of sickness however assistant Kerry Williams stepped into the function and ensured Cairns maintained their excellent file in opposition to Brisbane since Forde’s appointment firstly of the 2021/22 season.
Williams loved the chance to fill in as head coach however felt the management of Tahjere McCall performed a serious function in preserving the workforce targeted as they gained a 3rd straight sport with out Pinder.
“(McCall’s) been our on-court leader, he’s been our emotional leader and, he’s been able to keep this group together. The group is just fun, you know what I mean? Like, it’s just a fun group to be around,” Williams stated after the win.
McCall drew the ire of some Brisbane opponents along with his tenacious play throughout a fiery opening half however the American import was extra involved along with his workforce persevering with to construct on their latest success.
“I told the guys, the next step of our team is when you up putting teams away, that’s what championship teams do. That’s what winning teams do,” McCall stated after ending with 16 factors, six rebounds, six assists and 5 steals.
Outside of a game-high 32-point effort from Tyler Johnson, it was a forgettable night time for a Bullets squad that appeared dispirited at occasions, unable to maintain tempo with the ball motion and defensive power of a extra motivated and hungrier Taipans unit.
“The most disappointing thing for me is the lack of energy, the lack of attention to scout detail and the lack of attention to how we want to try and control the game,” Bullets coach Greg Vanderjagt stated after their third loss in a row.
“We just played right into their hands, played at their tempo, played at their pace and allowed them to dictate terms.”
