Snakes sent packing by reigning NBL champs Perth

After pushing Perth all the way over the first two games of the semi-finals, the Taipans could not stop the defending champions in Game 3 on Thursday night.

Scott Machado of the Taipans drives to the basket during the third NBL Semi-Final match between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans RAC Arena in Perth, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

• Jockey club boss blasts stewarts over abandoned meeting
• Inside Fabijan Krslovic’s meteoric rise at the Taipans
• Coach Kelly commits to Cairns for two more years

The Taipans’ fairytale NBL season has come to an end, falling in Game 3 of their semi-final series to the defending champion Wildcats.

After being poised and in control offensively for much of the first two games of the series, the Snakes were anything but in the opening half of the deciding game.

Perth’s defensive intensity, in front of their home crowd, really pushed the visitors out of what they were looking to run and without Scott Machado and Mirko Djeric’s explosions, it would have been close to game over.

When they returned for the second half, the NBL powerhouses quickly extended their advantage to 18 points as Perth put their foot on the throat of the Snakes.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats shoots during game three of the NBL Semi Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on March 05, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

The men from the Far North cut it back down to single figures for much of the final term and gave Perth a few nervous moments late on.

But, the Wildcats would do enough to hold on.

The club in away white never gave up in the third and deciding game of the series but the Wildcats had the class and finals experience to close out the contest, 93-82.

Many offensive rebounds going the way of Perth killed Cairns as did several missed trips to the charity stripe.

The Wildcats pulled down six more offensive rebounds, including a few in key moments when Cairns were pressing late on.

The Snakes did a solid job of keeping MVP Bryce Cotton quiet for the second straight game but they could not slow Nick Kay and Terrico White, who combined for 50 points.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats passes the ball during game three of the NBL Semi Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on March 05, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Import forward Cameron Oliver could not get going at all early on but he came into his own in the final term.

The all NBL second team member was massive down the stretch as he showed all his offensive skill to pull the Snakes back within touch.

He poured in 20 points across the final two terms.

After not being a factor in the first half, Oliver led the Taipans in points in the end, as well as grabbing eight rebounds.

It is a disappointing finish to an excellent campaign for Mike Kelly and his squad.

Basketball fans in FNQ would feel they arguably should already have been in the grand final, as they were the better side for long periods in Game 1, before winning with ease on Sunday afternoon at home.

But, that is how finals basketball goes sometimes and the Wildcats advance to defend their title they claimed 12 months ago.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Cameron Oliver of the Taipans dunks the ball during game three of the NBL Semi Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on March 05, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Earlier in the night, club MVP Machado carried Cairns offensively in the opening term, leading the game with 12 points.

Athletic import Oliver gave up an easy two points approaching quarter-time, deciding to go for a big reverse dunk on a fast break, which he could not finish and bounced out to a Perth opponent.

Oliver and co-captain DJ Newbill combined to be 0-6 to start the game and both did not trouble the scorers for the first 14 minutes of the contest.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: Kouat Noi of the Taipans looks to pass the ball during game three of the NBL Semi Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on March 05, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Former Snake Clint Steindl gave his old mob a stack of problems early on, hitting his first four attempts, with three of those from long range.

Rookie forward Kouat Noi provided a few flashes of brilliance in his early stint on the court, throwing down one jam with a hammer.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 05: DJ Newbill of the Taipans looks to pass the ball during game three of the NBL Semi Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on March 05, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Serbian Sniper Djeric caught fire late in the second term, hitting four from deep in a quick few minute patch, just as Perth were taking over the game.

Djeric’s bombs, as well as Machado’s general outstanding play, kept Cairns within touch as the Wildcats had all the momentum.

The hosts led by as much as 10 before Djeric turned it on to bring it back within one possession.

Premier NBL power forward Nick Kay helped push the Wildcats lead out to eight, 52-44, at the longest break.

The Wildcats now advance to take on the minor premier Sydney Kings in the grand final series to decide the 2019-20 champions.

Fulltime - Semi Final

PERTH WILDCATS 93 (T White 26 N Kay 24 C Steindl 11) bt CAIRNS TAIPANS 82 (C

Oliver 20 S Machado 19 M Djeric 12) at RAC Arena. (Perth Wildcats lead 2-1)

Originally published as Snakes sent packing by reigning NBL champs Perth