WILDCAT BRANDT SAYS CAIRNS CAN CAUSE ‘DISRUPTIONS’
TONIGHT WILDCATS V TAIPANS
BASKETBALL NBL heavyweights Perth are fearful of a Cairns Taipans side with a nothing-to-lose mentality in the run home to the finals.
The wooden-spoon bound Snakes have shown in the past week their ability to disrupt finals aspirants, upsetting the fourth-placed Brisbane Bullets before taking the top-of-thetable Sydney Kings deep into the fourth quarter just days later.
Like Sydney and Brisbane, the Wildcats have lofty playoff ambitions, despite dropping six of their past eight games, with those two wins against the men in orange their only victories since Round 7.
Wildcats and Australian Boomers centre Angus Brandt believes the Taipans will catch a few clubs off-guard in their remaining 11 games.
“Cairns are losing games but they are only by single figures,” Brandt said.
“They are a team that can catch some teams by surprise.
“I think they will make a run down the stretch.
“I do not think they will make finals but they can knock over some teams and cause disruptions.”
Perth and Cairns have played two competitive games in the Far North this season, with a blowout in Western Australia wedged in between, with the Wildcats claiming all three victories.
“Their problem is closing out games and finding a way to win games of basketball,” Brandt said. “They have only won two games this season but preparing for Cairns thinking they are an easybeat team, you will be found out.”
Perth are returning home to RAC Arena for the first time since December 14 when they lost to Sydney by one point after opening the season with seven straight wins at home.
Wildcats assistant coach Adam Forde says Cairns’ import trio and in-form former Perth centre Nate Jawai are their main areas of concern for this evening.
“We can’t fall asleep because they can get on a run,” Forde said.
“They have the personnel to do it with guys like Melo Trimble, DJ Newbill and Devon Hall.
“If they get on a run after we miss rotations or defensive assignments, they can give us a run for our money. It is about playing the full 40 minutes and every possession.”
A recent Brandt injury opened the door for Jawai’s return to the green and gold squad and the Perth centre is keen to take on the Bamaga big.
“I like playing against Nate (Jawai), he presents a unique challenge for how big he is,” Brandt said.
“He is back to the Nate of old with the way he is playing this year.” 8.50pm live on FROM DRIVEAWAY