Snakes clinch top four spot with mauling of Illawarra

After three seasons without post-season action, finals basketball is back on the way to FNQ in NBL season 2019-20.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 31: Scott Machado of the Taipans dribbles the ball during the round 18 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 31, 2020 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

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Finals basketball is back on the way to FNQ.

After three seasons without post-season action, the Taipans on Friday night clinched their top four position, overcoming the bottom of the ladder Illawarra Hawks for the first time in NBL 2019-20.

The battling Hawks have been Cairns’ bogey team this season, defeating them on all three occasions, but without LaMelo Ball, the Taipans got one back over their fellow regional club, 99-75 in the end.

The 2019-20 campaign has been a remarkable turnaround under second-year coach Mike Kelly, lifting themselves from the foot of the table to a real contender within 12 months.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 31: Sunday Tech of the Hawks looks to get past Scott Machado of the Taipans during the round 18 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 31, 2020 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

MVP hopeful Scott Machado was back to his distributing ways from earlier in the season on Friday night with 10 assists.

In the process, Machado passed Cedric Jackson with the most assists in a single season in the 40-minute era.

Machado’s fellow imports were the main benefactors as co-captain DJ Newbill and big man Cameron Oliver both edged past 15 points.

Oliver got plenty of buckets but he also held his own block party, protecting the rim and putting fear into the Hawks offence.

As Majok Deng went down with an early knee knock, forward Fabijan Krslovic provided energy in the first term, knocking down a three while crashing the glass.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 31: Angus Glover of the Hawks gets past DJ Newbill of the Taipans during the round 18 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 31, 2020 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Deng would return soon and complete the game.

To celebrate indigenous round, big man Nate Jawai rattled the rim on a couple of occasions.

After looking all but certain to play during the week, rookie Kouat Noi again missed with his ankle concern.

The now 15-10 Snakes finish the regular season on the road, with three away games to be completed before the real stuff starts in a few weeks.

Originally published as Snakes clinch top four spot with mauling of Illawarra