Taipans crush Phoenix in Melbourne ahead of Wildcats at home

Cairns Taipans reeled in the SEM Phoenix in Melbourne on Saturday, with Keanu Pinder leading the charge, ahead of tonight’s home clash against Perth Wildcats.

Cairns Taipans maintained their juggernaut start to the NBL season after a convincing win over the SEM Phoenix in Melbourne on Saturday.

The Taipans outscored the Phoenix 26-7 in the last nine minutes of the game to secure the 85-76 result and begin the season with a perfect 2-0.

It was a stunning fourth quarter turnaround as they converted a 10 point deficit into a nine point win, thanks to the team helping Keanu Pinder to dunk with 1:40 to go.

Keanu Pinder of the Taipans drives to the basket during the round two NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cairns Taipans on October 08, 2022. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Taipans coach Adam Forde was stoked with the the win, ending a nine-game losing streak at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, saying he was proud of the team and his philosophy “build the team you want to coach”.

“I have extreme confidence in this group,” he said.

“We are going to get better.

“We’ve got rookies on this team that were trying to find their way, we’ve got veterans on their team that were trying to find their way, we know what we recruited for.

“And that’s a really special group to have.“

DJ Hogg of the Taipans drives to the basket during the round two NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cairns Taipans on October 08, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Fans roared their support from tip-off, with the Taipans showing they came to play serious ball.

When the final whistle blew, the Snakes showed they can produce the same finesse as when they crushed the JackJumpers in Tasmania in the season opener.

Named last year’s NBL Most Improved Player, Pinder’s tenacity earned him the player of the game award.

Taipans head coach½ Adam Forde cheers his players during the round two NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cairns Taipans on October 08, 2022. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Although his game time on court was slightly over 29 minutes, Pinder made every second count and scored 18 points, with eight rebounds.

At jump ball in the first period his lay up meant the Snakes lead by two points before South East Melbourne equalled 20 second later.

Points went back and forth until the Taipans were 18 points to the Phoenix’s 22 at the end of the first period.

Mitchell Creek of the Phoenix is fouled by Majok Deng of the Taipans during the round two NBL match between Phoenix and Taipans. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Some tight shooting by DJ Hogg helped them lead 43 to 41 at half time, but the Snakes dropped behind 62 to 59 at the end of the third.

And the fourth quarter, as they say, is now NBL history.

The Taipans’ victory sets a robust tone for the team as they look to their Monday night game at Cairns Convention Centre, when they welcome former coach Mike Kelly and the Perth Wildcats to the tropics.

Alan Williams of the Phoenix shoots a free throw during the round two NBL match between SEM Phoenix and Cairns Taipans at John Cain Arena, on October 08, 2022. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Forde said the team’s strong mindset means they have committed to play their best.

Meanwhile, Hogg scored 18 points while Tahjere McColl and Shannon Scott each put 15 through the hoop.

Shannon Scott of the Taipans and Malcolm Bernard of the Phoenix (R) wrestle for the ball during the round two NBL match between SEM Phoenix and Cairns Taipans at John Cain Arena, on October 08, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Originally published as Taipans crush Phoenix in Melbourne ahead of Wildcats at home