NBL round two: Perth Wildcats thump Cairns Taipans by 29 points at Cairns Convention Centre

The Cairns Taipans were looking to make it three wins from three starts for the first time since 2015, but a determined Wildcats team charmed the snake in front of 3600 fans. Find out what happened.

Two teams vying for a perfect start to the NBL season battled it out at the snake pit in Cairns, but only one proved capable – and showed it resoundingly.

The Cairns Taipans were keen to turn their first 2-0 season start since 2018 to their first 3-0 start since 2015 at Monday’s home game in front of 3600-strong Orange Army.

But it was the Wildcats who maintained their perfect start to the NBL23 campaign, after a convincing 105-76 triumph in the tropics.

Keanu Pinder of the Taipans in action during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

The first quarter was a tight contest and it was the Taipans showing that they could turn on-the-road dominance into hometown confidence, edging the Wildcats by a point at the first break.

Sam Waardenburg (9) and Bul Kuol (8) showed the Taipans had multiple attacking options while the cats leant on American superstar Bryce Cotton (12) to do the heavy lifting.

Bul Kuol of the Taipans drives to the basket during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 10, 2022, in Cairns, Australia. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

But the Wildcats quickly, and savagely, reversed the situation in the second quarter, amassing a 23-point lead by half time – twice scoring 10 unanswered points before the Taipans could arrest a discrepancy that was quickly running away from them.

Taipans’ attack, led soundly by Sam Waardenburg, showed some promise and discipline early in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to 14 points.

But some desperate triple attempts, and solid rebounding by Wildcat Luke Travers, removed the snake’s tail from the cat’s throat and saw a heap of daylight return between the scores.

Sam Waardenburg of the Taipans drives to the basket during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 10, 2022, in Cairns, Australia. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

The Wildcats’ lead increased to 25 points. Cotton (20) and Todd Blanchfield (15), playing in his 350th game, were proving unstoppable.

“We gave up rebounds which gave a lot of life to their offence,” Taipans’ coach Adam Forde said.

“The second quarter was a combination of nine turnovers and only one attempt at (a triple) made.

Todd Blanchfield of the Wildcats during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 10, 2022, in Cairns, Australia. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

“This is part of the learning curve for this group. Little things really rattled our cage … it’s really important that we learn from this.”

Daylight between the scores became daylight between the Taipan’s defence as Cotton gathered his own missed, and unchallenged, triple attempts on several occasions.

If a brilliant piece of defence by Travers with 6 minutes remaining didn’t sound the death knell, then a completely botched dunk by Keanu Pinder surely did: a missed opportunity that exemplified the Taipans’ night.

Luke Travers of the Wildcats defends the basket during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 10, 2022, in Cairns, Australia. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

Cotton the go-to man

If it was Wildcats’ attack, Bryce Cotton was there. The American became the option even if others had a clearer run or less challenged shot at scoring. He finished with 24 points, including 3 triples.

Wildcats’ coach John Rillie preferred, however, to point out his team’s unselfishness.

“Ever since I took over this group I’ve preached unselfishness,” Rillie said.

“Making the best play for your teammate … that’s the way we approach it everyday.”

Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats in action during the round two NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at Cairns Convention Centre, on October 10, 2022. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

Defence(less)

The Taipans showed dynamism in the first quarter. But desperation for points quickly became forgetfulness in defence as the cracks opened wider and wider for Wildcats speedsters Cotton and Zunic, and the scoreboard discrepancy ballooned accordingly.

“We can’t just shoot our way out of things,” Forde said.

“It has to be done on the defensive end; it relies on execution.”

Blanchfield’s night to remember.

The 350 gamer finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in an effort that resulted in his team going 3-0 for the season.

“It’s fortunate to see 350 games in this league,” Blanchfield said.

“To see where the league is now … to do what you love everyday, it’s pretty special.

“Really good win for us. We’ll enjoy the win tonight.”

Originally published as NBL round two: Perth Wildcats thump Cairns Taipans by 29 points at Cairns Convention Centre