Cairns Taipans ready to take on the Adelaide 36ers in first home game of the season

The Cairns Taipans will need to overcome the ‘mental hurdle’ of last Saturday’s heavy defeat by Illawarra as they prepare for a fired up Adelaide 36ers in the clubs first home game of the season.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Adam Forde Head Coach of the Taipans talks to the players during the round one NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Illawarra Hawks at HBF Stadium, on September 21, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Cairns Taipans will have to overcome the ‘mental challenge’ of last Saturday’s heavy defeat as they prepare for a fired up Adelaide 36ers in the clubs first home game of the season.

The Taipans were thumped by 27 points by Illawarra Hawks at the inaugural ‘Hoopsfest’ held in Perth.

Coach Adam Forde said it has been a big week after the substantial loss.

“The good thing is, re-engaging with the boys, especially with the video on court and recognising the areas we need to work on,” Forde said.

“The loss is probably more of a mental hurdle that we need to get over rather than a basketball side of it.

“So the basketball is the easy fix, the guys just have to back themselves, believe and more importantly shoot that open shot.”

The Taipans had a seriously bad run of injury during the Blitz down on the Gold Coast in the pre-season hitout.

Cairns Taipans player Kyle Adnam sits out training with an injured knee at the Cairns Basketball Stadium ahead of the NBL Blitz pre season tournament on the Gold Coast. Picture: Brendan Radke

Experienced guard Kyle Adnam is also a chance to make his Taipans debut in the club’s first home game of the season.

“The confidence is building everyday in his knee and for himself,” Forde said.

“So the plan is that we will get him out there, we will get a better understanding of what kind of minutes we have planned for him.

“But I am excited to bring him out, he just has another level of composure for us, especially on the offensive end.”

While fellow guard Taran Armstrong will likely be held off for a few more weeks.

“It is important to not rush him back, it is a long season,” Forde said.

“The schedule works for us, that it is one game weeks at the moment.

“If we run the risk of bringing him back too soon, when all these double headers start rolling through, then it only does more damage than good.”

Both the Taipans and the 36ers are coming off round one losses and will be looking to claim their first win at the Snakepit on Saturday night.

Forde said it is great to be back in front of the home crowd.

“It feels like it has been a while, the guys got to train on the court last week and got to feel the surface,” Forde said.

“It is always good to get back in front of the orange army, the members day was great, everyone was really excited and we want to make sure we make up for the performance last week and give the fans something to cheer for.

“Shot selection is massive, the uncontested shots, we shot at 36 per cent.

“They’re the one’s that we need to keep doubling down on.

“The contested shots we are one from 10, so shot selection is really important.”

Tip off for the Taipans first home game is at 5:30pm on Saturday night.

Originally published as Cairns Taipans ready to take on the Adelaide 36ers in first home game of the season