DrinkWise Preview: NBL22 - Round 13 v Cairns Taipans

Melbourne United will look to extend their winning streak at the weekend when they head on the road to face the Cairns Taipans on Sunday afternoon.

A win will keep United on top of the competition ladder, and will make the defending champs the only team in NBL22 to have beaten every other team in the league.

For Cairns, the quest to keep on their momentum following a Thursday night win over state-rivals Brisbane will be front of mind.

The Taipans broke a four-game slide with the win, and showcased their ability to hold onto the lead, never trailing against the Bullets.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Sunday afternoon will be an emotional one for Jack White, as the forward faces the side he tore his achilles against last season for the first time.

After an extended period on the sidelines, White has come back stronger than ever, only further establishing himself as one of the league’s best defenders.

Despite United’s 11-4 record, White has only been a part of one of those losses, and will look to further improve his astounding 20-2 overall record with the club.

Look for White to use his speed and strength to his advantage when breaking Cairns’ press.

KEY MATCHUP

In a matchup of one of the league’s most electric scorers and one of its strongest defenders, who comes out on top in the battle between Chris Goulding and Tahjere McCall will go a long way in deciding the result of the game.

Melbourne’s Captain has been in good form of late, stretching the defence with his elite shooting range, and opening up opportunities for his teammates with his gravity.

How McCall will look to stop CG43 will be interesting, as the import has quickly made a name for himself as a stout defender.

Pressuring up the floor, denying Goulding as he comes off screens, and overall physicality will all be high on McCall’s priority list when CG43 enters the Snake Pit.

THE OTHER GUYS

Pressure has been the name of the game all season for Cairns, who have built a team capable of forcing teams into costly mistakes.

Length and athleticism is in abundance in this Taipans side, with the likes of Majok Deng, Bul Kuol, and Keanu Pinder all able to fly up and down the court.

Alongside McCall, Cairn’s leadership and playmaking comes from Scott Machado, who is looking more and more comfortable each game since coming back from injury.

Inside, the man they call ‘Big Zimm’, Stephen Zimmerman, will look to do his best to slow MVP candidate Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

Zimmerman leads the league in rebounding, and is more than capable of putting the ball on the floor and going to work in the post.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans
Tip off: 3pm (AEDT), Sunday 27 February, 2022
Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
Watch: Australia - Kayo Freebies and 10 Peach. International - NBL YouTube