Pressure’s on Taipans
CAPTAIN Cameron Gliddon has bemoaned the Taipans’ lack of mental application in the loss to New Zealand ahead of a season-defining clash with Adelaide on Thursday night.
But following the Snakes’ 12th loss of the season on Sunday against the Breakers, the skipper made a striking remark that will give everyone in the Far North confidence leading into the 36ers contest.
“We are a pretty good team when our backs are against the wall,” Gliddon said. “It is a big challenge moving forward.”
Cairns travel to the fourthplaced 36ers this week with their season on the line, knowing only a win will be good enough if they are to crack the NBL’s top four.
Against the Breakers, Cairns gave themselves a chance to compete as they grabbed 15 offensive rebounds to the Breakers’ nine as well as taking 14 more field goal attempts than their opponents – but they could just not get it to fall on a consistent basis.
Alex Loughton, who has been the Snakes’ driving force in recent weeks, was 0-9 from the field despite getting several solid looks at the basket.
The Snakes fell behind early and fought their way back, winning the third quarter marginally, and reduced the Breakers’ lead to just five early in the final spell before the hosts rediscovered their rhythm.
“We did not capitalise on some things,” Gliddon said.
“We were in with a shot, we play hard and went on some good runs.
“Mentally, we were just not in the right space.”
The Kiwis had won only two of their past seven games, but led from start to finish at Spark Arena on Sunday.
Breakers coach Paul Henare was pleased with the way his side started, understanding how tired the Snakes would be after playing against Brisbane on Friday and then travelling.
“Cairns are a team that really makes you defend for 24 seconds (of the shot clock),” Henare said.
“You really need to stay locked in and guard them with the extra opportunities they got from the offensive rebounds. Thankfully we were able to defend there.
“It was a tough weekend for Cairns – Brisbane in Cairns and then here in 48 hours.” JUST days before a clash with Cairns, Adelaide coach Joey Wright has set his sights on a second straight NBL minor premiership.
Wright’s 36ers are in fourth place on the ladder, just one win behind the top three of Perth, New Zealand and Melbourne, but Adelaide have played one more game than the top three.
Following their overtime victory over Brisbane on Sunday, Wright said his club were shooting for top spot but it was not his immediate focus, which was the Taipans on Thursday evening at home.
“We definitely want to be there but Melbourne and Perth and New Zealand are playing tough ball so we can’t just start talking about taking top spot,” Wright said.
“All the other teams are going to be tough too.
“The NBL gets tougher every year ... and this year the talent base is very strong.”
The 36ers will have the Taipans fresh in their minds after Cairns blew them away on their home court on Christmas Eve, 94-75.
Wright declared Adelaide centre Daniel Johnson, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds against Brisbane on Sunday, the best in the NBL.
“Daniel showed why, at least in my opinion, he is one of the best big men in this league and it would be great if he gets noticed more,” Wright said.
WE ARE A PRETTY GOOD TEAM WHEN OUR BACKS ARE AGAINST THE WALL