18 points, six minutes: Taipans produce NYE miracle
The Taipans have produced an absurd never-say-die performance to overturn an 18-point deficit with six minutes to play for a historic 86-83 win at an electric Snakepit.
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THE Taipans have produced an absurd never-say-die performance to overturn an 18-point deficit with six minutes to play for an unbelievable 86-83 win at an electric Snakepit.
Cairns then trailed 80-64 with just 5:29 on the clock, but as the clock ticked over just 60 seconds remaining they led by two – then completed what was the equal greatest fourth-quarter comeback in NBL history.
Cairns were without MVP candidate Keanu Pinder – and his 18 points and 10 rebounds per game – through injury, but star import duo Tahjere McCall and Shannon Scott led the home side to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve win.
Scott had 18 points by halftime, including a perfect four-from-four from range, before finishing with a new season-best of 31 points. It his this three which put Cairns ahead with a minute to play,
McCall was fired up after the main break, providing the spark which brought Cairns back into the contest, turning his eight-point halftime tally into a crucial 19-point outing.
DJ Hogg started slowly but finished with 13 points as Cairns came from nowhere to claim a famous victory which snapped Adelaide’s four-game winning run.
It was a case of close enough was clearly not good enough for Adelaide, who were in full control until those final five minutes.
Antonius Cleveland led the way for Adelaide with 16 points, while Anthony Drmic (14pts), Ian Clark (15pts) and Daniel Johnson (11pts) combined for the bulk of the 36ers’ 44 points from the bench.
Adelaide went on several strong runs throughout the game, punctuated by a 10-point lead early in the second term and 10-point advantage at three-quarter time.
A 16-0 run in four minutes midway through the second term gave the Taipans fan hope: six of the Taipans’ 10 wins entering this game have featured comebacks from 10 or more points behind.
They made it No.7 with a 32-19 fourth quarter to jump back to third and finish the year in incredible fashion.
SNAKES STOP 36ERS’ ROLL
CJ Bruton described their last trip to Cairns as a ‘debacle’. This wasn’t quite as bad, but to give up an 18-point lead with just over six minutes to play must go close.
On that night, over a year ago, former 36er Majok Deng hit five from range in a 23-point night to lead the Snakes to a big 26-point win.
Adelaide won the past three contests between the clubs, but on Saturday the Snakes shamed the 36ers with an epic comeback which sent the sold-out New Year Eve’s crowd ecstatic.
It ended the visitors’ four-game winning run, and elevated Cairns back into third.
NO PINDER STILL A PROBLEM
Forde and the Taipans faithful take a cautious approach to get MVP candidate Keanu Pinder healthy and back on the floor.
Pinder sat on the bench watching on after spending part of the week in a moon boot, the result of a lateral ligament strain on his left ankle.
It exposed the lack of Cairns’ depth, though coach Adam Forde was happy how the team replaced Pinder’s missing 10 rebounds per game by committee – every player had at least one.
Pinder is unlikely to be risked for Monday’s clash with the Hawks, with Cairns eyeing either the following clash at Brisbane on January 5 or South East Melbourne Phoenix (Jan 8 at home) for his return.
LEADING THE PACK
A return to the winner’s circle could not have come soon enough for the Taipans who are in the thick of a fight for the top six.
There are currently five teams jostling for four Play-in Tournament spots, but with the fewest losses to their name (7) the Taipans are still in a good position.
In fact, they are just one loss behind the top two, which still has them in good position for the guaranteed passage through the one-and-done wildcard games.
The job isn’t done yet, but it’s a good position to be in after their second two-game slide of the campaign.
Both teams will face the Hawks next.
Cairns travel to WIN Entertainment Centre to tackle Illawarra on Monday night, with the 36ers to host the regional NSW side on Friday night.
PINDER RULED OUT OF NYE CLASH
THE Taipans will host Adelaide 36ers in the New Year's Eve clash but will be without a star player.
Cairns forward Keanu Pinder has been double-teamed and battered over the past two outings especially and will miss Saturday night’s must-win clash with the 36ers at the Snakepit.
Coach Adam Forde said it is a result of some questionable tactics by recent match-ups.
“The opening possession by Melbourne, they made it clear where Tucker left his man and shoulder barged Keanu off the ball,” Forde said.
“The foul was called which is great but there was only one more foul called in Keanu’s favour after that.
“I get warned for my behaviour on the side lines and now Keanu’s foot is in a boot.”
The Taipans have slipped to fourth after dropping the last two games before the Christmas break.
Pinder was heavily guarded in the three-point loss to Melbourne United last Friday night.
Early in the first, Pinder slammed down a dunk and landed awkwardly on the foot of Melbourne’s Mason Peatling.
“The referees are big on landing space, we fouled Shea Ili at the three point line, he gets three shots,” Forde said.
“We fouled Bryce Cotton at the three point line and he gets fouled shots and rightly so.
“But it doesn’t apply to close quarter contact around the rim for Keanu because he has an uncontested dunk.
“Mason Peatling is completely out of the play and ends up just walking underneath him and the result is it’s a no call.”
The MVP contender has been low on form in recent weeks with Forde explaining it is due to the lack of protection.
“It is jeopardising his ankles, his health and there is no secret about him being targeted,” Forde said.
“They make no secret about him being a key focus for their defence.
“But the reality is he is so dynamic, athletic and so gifted that they don’t have anybody necessarily capable of defending him one-on-one.
“We will see how he pulls up in the next couple of days, see how the swelling goes and we will know more when we get the results back from the MRI.”
The Taipans have a long run home starting from New Year’s Eve, with 11 games in 34 days.
Taipans guard Shannon Scott said the team will be taking it day by day.
“We will just focus on the Adelaide game first and then the next game after,” Scott said.
“If we look too far ahead then we lose focus of what we are trying to achieve.
“It will be great for our team and the city and have everyone come out and support us for New Year’s Eve, we are looking forward to it.”
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