NBL: Sydney Kings beat Cairns Taipans 79-71
There were some nervy moments but with new recruits Casper Ware and Jae’Sean Tate stepping up when required, the Sydney Kings opened the NBL season with a narrow win over Cairns Taipans.
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The Sydney Kings were forced to scrap their way to a NBL season-opening victory against the Cairns Taipans, with a late surge producing a 79-71 victory at the Cairns Convention Centre.
Star recruit Casper Ware (23 points) and skipper Kevin Lisch (18) were the standouts for the Kings, who trailed for most of Friday night’s contest before the plucky Taipans faded.
The home side led by as much as 13 points in the third term before the Kings found their feet with a blistering fourth quarter.
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Sydney trailed by six at the final break before outscoring the hosts 22-8 down the stretch to run out comfortable winners.
Veteran Andrew Bogut pulled in 12 rebounds and enjoyed a spirited clash with Nate Jawai (10 points, six rebounds) throughout the clash.
Import Jae’Sean Tate, who provided a physical presence in the closing stages, was excellent and Weaver was full of praise.
“Everywhere he goes, the wins follow,” Weaver said of Tate.
“He plays harder than almost everybody. He’s the strongest, hardest playing dude that we’ve encountered.”
The Kings were without boom youngster Didi Louzada, who was a late withdrawal with a back injury.
Weaver said he was a day-to-day prospect, but hoped he would be fit to play against the Adelaide 36ers next Saturday.
The new-look Cairns team was spearheaded by first-year NBL player Kouat Noi, who scored 14 points and grabbed in 12 rebounds.
Imports Scott Machado (13), Cameron Oliver (13) and DJ Newbill (10) also provided headaches for the Kings.
Sydney will walk away relieved that missed opportunities did not prove costly.
The Kings went 0-7 from the free-throw line before Lucas Walker broke the drought against his former club.
They finished with 14 from 24 from the charity stripe.
SYDNEY KINGS 79 (C Ware 23 K Lisch 18 J Tate 14) CAIRNS TAIPANS 71 (K Noi 14 C Oliver 13 S Machado 13) at Cairns Convention Centre
Originally published as NBL: Sydney Kings beat Cairns Taipans 79-71
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