OBSERVATIONS FROM THE CAIRNS TAIPANS’ WIN OVER ADELAIDE 4

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Co-captain Nate Jawai loves to rock the rim but he cost his point guard a highlight assist early on Saturday night.

Floor general Scott Machado crossed up Jack McVeigh at the top of the key before throwing a behind-the-head wraparound pass to a cutting Jawai that deserved a big dunk. It would have been the lead highlight all week if the big man could have thrown it down with authority. Former Snake Daniel Dillon gave Jawai a little push in the back as he went up for the finish, which stopped his chances.

Machado must be becoming known as a great player in the NBL because Brendan Teys started to get physical with him on Saturday. That is Teys’ go and why he has stuck in the league for so long, he is a committed defender who likes to get in star players’ faces and rough them up a little. Teys tried to work over Machado a couple of times, a tactic clubs are yet to use against him this season. The 36ers veteran heard the boos from the Snakes fans as he exited the game after a foul on Machado not long after.

Well, both DJs were firing, really – DJ Newbill and Daniel Johnson – but it was a career night for the Adelaide big man.

The West Australian product is a regular Taipans killer and went for 38 points.

All three of Johnson’s career highs in points have come against Cairns: 38 on Saturday, 33 vs Taipans in February 2014 and 32 at Taipans in October 2017. As he said post-game, it is nice to get a huge amount of buckets, but Johnson would have much preferred a victory.

Also, how did Johnson miss the recent Australian Boomers squad?

It feels like we have said this every week over the last few but the Snakes rookie must be an almost certainty to play next Sunday against SEM Phoenix.

Noi’s pre-game workout on Saturday looked to be nearing game pace.

“He’s 21 or 22 years old so I’m not too worried about his fitness,” Mike Kelly said on Saturday.

“He could probably have two training sessions and he’s going to be in better shape than some of the older guys.

“I feel good about working him in with this group.”