Cairns Taipans dethrone Sydney Kings in a thriller game
The Taipans proved themselves as a formidable force to dethrone the Kings and end the Sydney outfit’s three match winning streak. What Taipans coach Adam Forde had to say after the match.
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They went south as the underdogs but the Cairns Taipans proved beyond a doubt they can mix it with the best when they dethroned the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.
On Friday night the Taipans toppled the league leaders and put a stop to their unbeaten record when they won 83 to 78.
It was a shining moment for head coach Adam Forde who has worn his heart on his sleeve for the Snakes ever since he left the Kings in 2021 to lead the Cairns team.
The tightly contested battle was put to bed when Majok Deng nailed a dagger three-pointer with a minute remaining to put the Taipans ahead by 6 points.
All five starters scored in double digits for Cairns, with DJ Hogg (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), Keanu Pinder (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Shannon Scott (16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) leading the charge in the win.
Scott stepped into the starting line-up with Tahjere McCall sidelined with a hip injury.
Dejan Vasiljevic led the Kings with 20 points while Derrick Walton Jr added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Speaking at the post-game media conference, Forde said he was proud of the way his players pulled off an upset victory.
Forde said the fact they have planned their battle with The Kings showed.
“We are going to beat of no-one else’s drum but our own,” he said.
“We need to stay composed during particular moments of the game and stay solid.”
Forde said although the Taipans had a brilliant game against the Kings, he said he didn't want the orange army to think their team could only win on the road.
“There were some orange jerseys in the crowd which was great to see,” he said.
“Up against Perth we owed our home crowd so much more than we delivered. Perth punched us square in the mouth, so we are trying to build back that trust from our community.
“Cairns, we still owe you one.”
On October 20 the Taipans will play Melbourne United in Victoria, then come home to take on the NZ Breakers on October 23, before taking on the Sydney Kings again in NSW on October 29.
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