In a showdown of teams seeking a turnaround in the Hungry Jack’s NBL Season, the Cairns Taipans will host the New Zealand Breakers this Saturday at the Cairns Convention Centre. The match is scheduled for 5:30 PM AEDT and promises to be a crucial encounter for both sides looking to gain momentum ahead of the upcoming FIBA break.
As it stands, the Taipans sit at the bottom of the NBL standings, while the Breakers are just above them. Both teams are acutely aware that each win is vital for their chances of making the Finals this year. New Zealand enters the match with a notable edge, having won the last six contests against Cairns. Home court advantage might not be enough for the Taipans, who have struggled with a disappointing 1-7 record on their home turf this season.
Central to Cairns’ hopes will be superstar Jack McVeigh, who recently achieved a career milestone with a staggering 39 points in a narrow overtime defeat to the Adelaide 36ers. McVeigh, averaging 18.8 points per game, has been a key offensive player for the Taipans, contributing nearly 25% of the team’s overall scoring, which currently ranks as the lowest in the league at 80.4 points per game. While Mojave King has also stepped up for Cairns, the team will heavily rely on McVeigh to deliver another standout performance if they hope to secure a victory against New Zealand.
Cairns coach Adam Forde praised the balanced attack of the Breakers, highlighting the talents of Sam Mennenga as a formidable three-point threat and Parker Jackson-Cartwright as one of the league’s top point guards. Forde emphasized the need for his players to maintain focus throughout the entire game, noting the Taipans’ struggles at home where they have yet to secure a win in recent matches.
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On the other side, New Zealand coach Petteri Koponen stressed the importance of consistency and managing runs throughout the game. He acknowledged that every match presents opportunities to reevaluate strategies and improve, as it is often the small moments that impact the overall outcome.
The Taipans will enter the game without several key players due to injuries: Alex Higgins-Titsha is out for the season with a wrist issue, while Kody Stattmann, Kyle Adnam, and Reyne Smith are all expected to miss the clash against the Breakers. Sam Waardenburg is also sidelined with an ankle injury, set to miss action until December.
In contrast, New Zealand comes into the matchup without any reported injuries, giving them an advantageous edge in terms of roster depth and availability.
As anticipation builds for this crucial matchup, fans can follow the action live on ESPN, or catch live scores, stats, and highlights through the newly upgraded NBL App.
