Game Preview: 36ers vs Taipans

8/NOV/2008 – Having topped the NZ Breakers on Thursday, the Adelaide 36ers host the Cairns Taipans tonight and would be confident of a win.

Where and When: Saturday 8 November, Distinctive Homes Dome, 7.30pm (ACT)

Past Three Head-to-Head
Adelaide 36ers 113-104 Cairns Taipans, Round 21 2008.
Cairns Taipans 105-111 Adelaide 36ers, Round 19 2008.
Adelaide 36ers 98-89 Cairns Taipans, Round 21 2007.

Season Series
First match

Current Standings
36ers 4-5 (eighth), Taipans 5-5 (sixth)

With their season now back on track, the 36ers will look to keep their good recent form up with a visit from the out of form Cairns Taipans.

While the Sixers have won their past two matches in impressive style, the Taipans find themselves on a three-game losing streak and are on the brink of falling out of the top six.

Infact, the 36ers will take their place in the six if they can win this clash, so there is plenty at stake for both clubs.

The Sixers are likely to still be missing veteran duo Brett Maher and Brad Davidson, meaning young point-guard Aaron Bruce will be required to play extended minutes in their absence.

Arguably, Bruce will be the most crucial player on the court as he will need to distribute the ball well to get the likes of Luke Schenscher, Mark Tyndale and Adam Ballinger some open looks.

Veteran point-guard Darnell Mee will match up on Bruce and this battle will be an intriguing one between two talented players.

The Taipans will need Ian Crosswhite to have a big game against Schenscher and Ballinger, while Gary Boodnikoff could be the wildcard in the visitors' line-up.

With so much up for grabs, this match should end up being a hard fought low-scoring contest, with neither team willing to give an inch at either end of the court.

The Taipans will play better than what they have recently, but the Sixers should be able to get the job done in front of a big home crowd.