Sixers look to bite Snakes' import duo

Putting pressure on Cairns Taipans’ import duo of Patrick Miller and Tahjere McCall is key for Adelaide 36ers in Saturday night’s home showdown at the Entertainment Centre.

Both Miller and McCall have had career nights against Adelaide this season, with the Taipans winning both games and head coach Scott Ninnis knows the importance of Saturday night’s battle.

“We owe them, we think we should have beaten them two weeks ago up there,” Ninnis said of the Taipans 111-101 overtime win on January 13 in Cairns.

“We were up 16 (points) in the third quarter, but we played poorly in the final quarter, but having said that, we had a shot to win it at the end from our best shooter.

“We are looking forward to getting back at them on Saturday night.”

Taipans coach Adam Forde has faith in his star import duo as Cairns continue to make a push for the NBL Play-In top six.

Cairns fell to Brisbane Bullets 102-84 at home last Sunday and turnovers hit hard, with McCall and Miller coughing up the ball three times each in the first quarter.

“You play with fire, you get burned a couple of times,” Forde said.

They lead the team in scoring (Miller 18.8, McCall 17.7), assists (Miller 6.0, McCall 5.3), free throw attempts and steals, while their vision and direction on court has led the way to plenty of Taipans wins through the season.

But they also lead the entire league in turnovers, with McCall (3.3 per game) just pipping Miller (3.2pg) in the top two spots.

Ninnis said his side is only focused on Saturday night despite last round’s twin success on the road, which has started Play-In conversations for the 36ers.

“You always dare to dream, every time you go into a season you want to win a championship, but the loss column is the problem for us right now,” Ninnis said.

“The only thing we have to concern ourselves about is Saturday night against Cairns.”

Adelaide will battle Cairns Taipans this Saturday night at the Entertainment Centre from 5pm ACDT, watch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.

READ MORE

• PROUD JOURNEY: PART I - THE DECISION
• PROUD JOURNEY: PART II - THOUGHT PROCESS
• PROUD JOURNEY: PART III - THE RETURN

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs CAIRNS TAIPANS
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Saturday 5pm ACDT

OVERALL
Played 85, Adelaide 45, Cairns 40

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 13, 2024 – Taipans 111 def 36ers 101 at Cairns Convention Centre
Dec 9, 2023 - Taipans 116 def 36ers 101 at AEC
Jan 30, 2023 – 36ers 99 def Taipans 96 at Cairns Convention Centre
Dec 31, 2022 – Taipans 86 def 36ers 83 at Cairns Convention Centre
Dec 2, 2022 – 36ers 78 def Taipans 75 at AEC

LIKELY STARTERS
Adelaide: Trey Kell, DJ Vasiljevic, Nick Marshall, Kyrin Galloway, Isaac Humphries.
Cairns: Taran Armstrong, Patrick Miller, Tahjere McCall, Bul Kuol, Akoldah Gak

STATS THAT MATTER

• Adelaide has won the first half in each of its last six games.
• Trey Kell is averaging 23.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists over his last six games.
• Adelaide has won the third quarter in each of its last seven games against Cairns.
• Cairns has won each of its last five games when winning the rebound count.
• Eight different Cairns players have scored 20+ points in a game this season - most in the league.
• Adelaide ranks 2nd in the league for free throw percentage this season (78.0%).
• Josh Roberts ranks 2nd for effective field goal percentage (69.1%) this season.
• Akoldah Gak recorded career-highs for points (21) and rebounds (14) in his last outing against Adelaide in Round 15.
• Isaac Humphries scored a career-high 28 points in his last outing against Cairns in Round 15.
• Patrick Miller has recorded 5+ assists in eight consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.
• Tahjere McCall ranks T1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.