Revenge battle in Far North awaits

Adelaide will be out for revenge and to spoil the Taipans' shot at top spot in a Far North Queensland battle royale on Monday night.

The 36ers will be keen to snap a five-game losing streak, which has all but ended their NBL23 playoff hopes on the same court most basketball experts think the season turned on its head.

Cairns will be playing their third game this round and will be at home for the second time in 48 hours after their crucial 94-87 win over Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night,

Adelaide, who need to win their final three matches and have other results go the right way to make the top six, know how to play on the Taipans home floor, just have to learn how to finish their good work off.

THE KEY
Shannon Scott torched Adelaide in their recent clash on December 31, scoring a game-high 31 points on 73 per cent shooting with four rebounds and four assists.

The 187cm import point guard took over with the Taipans missing key big man Keanu Pinder in that match-up, swishing five three-pointers, including the final dagger in the last minute of play.

Scott will see a different defensive game plan this time around, with the potential of Antonius Cleveland to take the role of stopping the Snakes’ main ballhandler.

Besides Scott, his import mates Tahjere McCall and DJ Hogg also can be seen as potential matchwinner for the Taipans.

The import trio all played their role as Cairns outscored Adelaide 32-19 in the final 10 minutes to create NBL history for the largest fourth quarter comeback.

THE SECRET
Cairns have an array of young talent across their entire roster, with a number of players capable of stepping up on any given night.

Hogg has won games off his own hand this season, so too import swingman McCall, NBL23 MVP candidate Pinder, Scott and Sam Waardenburg.

The Taipans covered the loss of Pinder with no issue recently and went 6-0 in the big man’s absence.

Adelaide will need to be switched on defensively on all match-ups as the Snakes can play through one or two players who are turning it on during the course of the match.

Expect a Taipans player to rise and take their turns in the limelight, something the 36ers must limit if they want to come out on top.

THE FINAL WORD
Adelaide will have fresh memories from the New Year’s Eve disaster in Far north Queensland and will be looking to make amends on Monday night.

The 36ers have only won one match since December 31 and are currently on a five-game losing streak, but can still finish the NBL23 regular season with a 14-14 record.

Pinder again will miss a clash against the 36ers after suffering a hit to the face in Cairns' loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix last Wednesday night at the State Basketball Centre.

Cairns will be seeking to lock in a top two position and a direct berth to the NBL semi-finals, so the Taipans will be out to send a message to the league.

DEPTH CHART
Scott | Ayre
Kuol | Djeric | Antonio
Waardenberg | McCall
Hogg | Deng | Davey
Pinder | Mayen