SNAKES SET TO STRIKE
A SHOCK 23-point flogging of the defending premier Wildcats on their home court has the Taipans preparing for retribution ahead of Saturday night’s clash at the Snakepit.
It was the game import Cameron Oliver came into his own, dropping 22 points and grabbing nine boards in Cairns’ surprise 99-76 win.
But that was a month ago. The Wildcats have since improved to 8-3 to sit second on the NBL ladder, while the Snakes are seventh at 3-6.
It’s not so much the recent history that concerns second year Snake DJ Newbill, but Perth’s seemingly unstoppable ability to be among the best teams in the league.
“Perth is Perth,” co-captain Newbill said.
“They’re going to come out, they’re going to play their game. They have a really talented group and they’re coached by a great coach, so they’re going to come out and do what they do.
“It’s the reason they’ve been in the finals for however long, Perth is Perth.”
Cairns produced one of their best performances of the season at home last week, fast starts to three of the four quarters allowing the Taipans to blitz the Bullets 94-85 in the first official Sunshine Stoush.
The Wildcats won both games last weekend, besting Adelaide 99-95 on the road on Friday before an 88-77 win against the Breakers at home.
Forward Majok Deng, who scored 13 points off the bench, said the Taipans’ win simply came down to control.
“We took care of the ball,” Deng said.
Saturday’s game is at 7pm.