Snakes alive in Feb?
Here’s hoping with NBL releasing season draw today
The Taipans have learned the path they must follow if they are to replicate their run to the post-season in NBL24, and if it comes down to their last game they will have the full support of the Orange Army.
The NBL will on Thursday morning release the full schedule for the upcoming season, which will tip-off at the end of September.
And the league has listened to pleas from Cairns and New Zealand for more consideration about travel for the two clubs, with the removal of the dreaded tight, 48-hour turnarounds for the second leg of a double header in this upcoming season.
The Taipans will open their season against the Breakers at Spark Arena, allowing the Cairns club the flexibility to prepare as they prefer heading into the clash between two long-term rivals.
They will meet again in New Zealand on Friday, November 3, in the first leg of a round 6 double-header, with the third clash between the NBL23 semi-finalists in Cairns on Friday, December 15.
The Taipans will play their first home game on Thursday, October 5, when they host South East Melbourne Phoenix, and fans will have to wait more than three weeks to see them at the Cairns Convention Centre due to the FIBA international break.
In other highlights of the schedule:
■ The Taipans host Perth Wildcats in their first Boxing Day game at Cairns Convention Centre, which will be former star forward Keanu Pinder’s first game against Cairns since leaving the club;
■ Cairns has kept its traditional New Year’s Eve clash, and will this season host Melbourne United;
■ Reigning champions Sydney will travel to Cairns twice, with the first clash between the semi-finalists in the tropics on Saturday, October 28;
■ Cairns will play six homes games during the summer holidays, with potential blockbusters against the Phoenix, Perth, Melbourne United and the Sunshine Stoush with the Bullets; and
■ Two of their last three games are at home – the Taipans face Melbourne United in their final game in a match which could dictate finishing positions.