Sixers aiming to get revenge on Snakes

Adelaide 36ers will be looking to make it three wins in-a-row when Cairns Taipans come to town for a Saturday night NBL Pride Round blockbuster at the Entertainment Centre.

Coming home after two huge wins on the road last round, Adelaide will go into the contest full of confidence, but wary the Taipans have been successful twice so far against the 36ers this season.

The Taipans fought back from a 16-point deficit to defeat Adelaide in overtime 111-101 a fortnight ago and the 36ers will be looking to reverse that decision on their home court.

Adelaide is on a roll and must continue their recent rich vein of form as the club search to build on their current two-game winning streak.

THE KEY
The Taipans have been led by import guard duo Patrick Miller and Tahjere McCall this season and both players have been huge in games against the 36ers.

McCall scored 30 points, dished nine assists, and hauled in eight rebounds when the Taipans fought back to defeat Adelaide in overtime earlier this month.

In the same game, Miller paired 25 points with eight assists and earlier in the season the point guard had 26 points with five assists as the Taipans defeated Adelaide on December 9.

Adelaide will need to curb the influence of both Miller and McCall as both players are finishers for head coach Adam Forde.

McCall also had 15 assists against the 36ers on December 9 and Adelaide will look for a combination of Nick Marshall, Mitch McCarron, and Sunday Dech to contain the Taipans duo.

THE SECRET
When the Taipans won in overtime on January 13, Akoldah Gak had a career-high night with 21 points and 14 rebounds and coach Forde has the reputation of giving his players opportunity.

With Sam Waardenburg missing the past few games due to concussion protocols, Forde has turned to Gak, import Josh Roberts and Lat Mayen for more minutes in the big man rotation and all three have thrived.

Both Roberts and Mayen have had impact games during the NBL24 season and Adelaide must show respect to the entire Taipans roster.

Cairns scored 70 of their 111 points in the paint during their January 13 win and Adelaide must keep the ball outside the keyway, but at the same time put pressure on the Taipans outside shooters, who can fire up at a rapid rate.

Expect the unexpected when it comes to the Taipans game plan, with injury concerns also clouding the availability of Bobi Klintman and Jonah Antonio, and Adelaide must be prepared for all potential outcomes.

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DEPTH CHART
PG: Miller / Armstrong /  Mudronja
SG: Kuol / Dennis 
SF: McCall / Klintman / Anderson
PF: Waardenburg / Roberts 
C: Gak / Mayen 

THE FINAL WORD
After two great wins on the round last round, Adelaide come back home and must continue their momentum in front of what should be another sold out Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers will be keen to rebound after two losses to the Taipans already this season, the past defeat to Cairns was Adelaide’s only loss in their past five matches.

Injuries have been rampant for both sides with the Taipans looking to regain Waardenburg, Bobi Klintman and Jonah Antonio, while question marks remain about the fitness of Adelaide pair Jacob Wiley and Trentyn Flowers.

The confidence and the passion head coach Ninnis has installed in his group looks to be gaining traction within the playing group and winning four of the past five matches has give n the side a boost for the back half of the campaign.

Coming off a road double success, the 36ers must not relax as every game is as important as the next, it’s one game at a time for Adelaide, and full focus must be on stopping the Snakes on Brett Maher Court Saturday night.