Brisbane Bullets host Cairns Taipans in NBL rematch: what to know
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- The Brisbane Bullets host the Cairns Taipans tonight at 8:00pm AEDT in an NBL Round 7 game at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
- Cairns won the first meeting 97-91 in October, even though Brisbane took 17 more shots. Nate Hinton scored 30 points in that loss.
- Two new faces change the rematch: Raul Neto now runs Brisbane's offence, and Jaylin Galloway debuted for Cairns on Sunday with 18 points.
The Brisbane Bullets host the Cairns Taipans tonight in the NBL. The game starts at 8:00pm AEDT at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Cairns won the first meeting 97-91. This rematch could shape the top four.
It is the second meeting of the season between the two Queensland rivals. The NBL calls this derby the Sunshine Stoush. The first clash took place in Cairns back on October 8.
What happened last time
Cairns won 97-91 in Cairns on October 8. It was a strange game. Brisbane did more of the hard work.
The Bullets took 17 more shots than Cairns. They grabbed 22 offensive rebounds. Nine of those came from Tyrell Harrison.
But Brisbane could not turn those chances into points. They made only 8 of 33 three-point shots. That is less than one in four.
Nate Hinton scored 30 points for Brisbane. Harrison added 23 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks.
It was a huge night for both players. Yet Brisbane still lost by six points.
Jaylon Brown scored 25 points for Cairns. Jack McVeigh made key plays late in the game.
Cairns scored the final five points of the contest. That finish turned Brisbane's extra chances into a sad footnote.
The Bullets have lost six of the last seven meetings with the Taipans. Cairns won the most recent one too. That record hangs over tonight's game.
Why it matters
Both teams are winning again after some tough years. For a long time, they fought to stay off the bottom of the ladder. Now both sit in the finals conversation.
Brisbane are 4-4 after eight games. They beat Illawarra 98-81 on Saturday. That win was a useful response to a heavy loss in Tasmania.
Cairns are 5-4 after nine games. They beat New Zealand 86-84 on Sunday. They have won four of their past five matches.
Bookmakers price both teams at $1.91. That shows how even the game is expected to be. Neither side has been strong enough to earn a clear favourite tag.
The league's own preview says Cairns are now close to full strength. They are "firing on all cylinders". Cairns sit inside the top four.
Coach Adam Forde finally has the team he always pictured. The goal is simple: keep winning.
Brisbane have their own story. They are battling key injuries. Still, they found a way to beat Illawarra.
Import guard Nate Hinton says the team is only scratching the surface of what it can do. "There's no ceiling and no cap on what we can do," Hinton told the Bullets' website.
Home court helps Brisbane. They have won three of their four home games this season. Cairns have struggled on the road.
They have won only two of their six away games. Tonight's game tests both trends.
If you enjoy game previews, our Knicks vs Bulls preview is also live. For more basketball stories, read how Luka Doncic scored 52 points in a Jazz win.
Players to watch
Raul Neto (Brisbane). Neto is the new organiser for Brisbane. He replaced the injured Arnas Velicka. Neto scored 11 points and made 4 assists in his first start against Illawarra. More time with his team-mates should help him. Velicka made 8 assists in the October loss. Brisbane need Neto to create good shots. That is the big question tonight.
Nate Hinton (Brisbane). Hinton is the team's top guard. He has scored in double figures in all eight games. He scored 30 in the first meeting with Cairns. He scored 21 against Illawarra on Saturday. If Hinton plays well, Brisbane are hard to beat.
Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane). Harrison is the man in the middle. He returned from an ankle injury against Illawarra. He scored 14 points and took 8 rebounds. He took 18 rebounds in the first Cairns game. Cairns know how much damage he can do. Keeping him out of foul trouble is key.
Jack McVeigh (Cairns). McVeigh is Cairns' go-to forward. He made important plays late in the October win. He is one of the most exciting Australian talents in the league. Brisbane must make him work hard for every shot.
Jaylin Galloway (Cairns). Galloway made his club debut on Sunday. He scored 18 points and made 6 assists against New Zealand. He is back after shoulder surgery. His return gives Cairns another scorer next to McVeigh.
Jonah Bolden (Cairns). Bolden is Cairns' rebound machine. He averages 8.3 rebounds per game. He shoots 50 per cent from three-point range. He will battle Harrison under the basket. That fight could decide the game.
Cairns lead the NBL in made three-pointers: 12.2 per game. They have won their past five games in which they made at least ten threes.
Brisbane's answer is second chances. They lead the league with 47.5 rebounds per game.
Injuries and absences
Brisbane are missing three players. Jacob Holt is out with an ankle injury. Sam McDaniel has a lower-leg injury.
Arnas Velicka has a lower-limb injury. Velicka is out until Rounds 11 or 12. Holt and McDaniel are out until Round 10.
Cairns are healthier. Sunday Dech is out with a hamstring problem. He is expected back around Round 8.
Walter Brown is out with a right-ankle sprain. He will miss Rounds 7 and 8. That reduces Cairns' options on the wing.
The Lakers are also riding home form this week, after beating the Clippers 103-87 at home.
How to watch and what comes next
The game is live on ESPN, via Foxtel, Kayo, and Disney+. Live scores, stats, and highlights are free on the NBL App.
This is a two-game week for both clubs. Brisbane travel to Adelaide on Sunday.
Cairns host Melbourne on Saturday. Tonight's result will set the mood for the weekend.
For Brisbane, a win means revenge and a 5-4 record. It would prove the October loss was about missed shots, not a gap in quality.
For Cairns, a win means staying in the top four. It would show their new-look team can win anywhere.
Brisbane showed they can get the ball back in October. Cairns showed they can make fewer shots count for more.
Tonight, Neto and Galloway are in the picture. We find out whether a changed cast can change the ending.
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