DrinkWise Preview: NBL23 - Round 12, Game 1 v Cairns Taipans

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United will kick off its huge Round 12 of action on Friday night in the much anticipated return of the Open Air Game against the Cairns Taipans.

Since feilding their full roster, United have been rolling, registering the league’s best net rating (+13.5) on their way to three wins in their past four games.

Looking to keep up their momentum, Melbourne will have to overcome the Taipans as the snakes make the trip south to John Cain Arena.

Despite coming off one of their biggest losses of the year, Cairns remain a dangerous threat, having already beaten United twice this season. 

PLAYER TO WATCH

After a career-best performance on Sunday evening, Mason Peatling has well and truly proven his worth since his return from injury.

Injected into the starting lineup for the first time this season in United’s last game, Peatling stepped up, scoring 19 points, including 13 in the first half, to go along with 11 rebounds in the 11-point victory.

Having missed both of Melbourne’s previous games against the Taipans, perhaps Peatling will prove to be the missing piece for United to start Round 12.

KEY MATCHUP

With outside shooting at times dicy while the JCA roof is open, which point guard can get their teammates the best looks at the rim may play a huge role in who comes out on top.

United’s pairing of Shea Ili and Xavier Rathan-Mayes have been dishing out the ball at an elite level, leading the way for their side by leveraging over nine combined assists per game since Ili’s return.

Equally as impressive have been the Taipans duo of Tahjere McCall and Shannon Scott, who have led from the front in Cairns’ three wins across their past four games.

Melbourne will look to limit Scott and McCall in a similar way to Perth’s performance on Tuesday evening, which saw the pair dish six assists, but turne the ball over six times.

THE OTHER GUYS

Having firmly entrenched himself in the MVP conversation, Keanu Pinder poses major issues for any opponent whenever he steps onto the court.

Surrounded by knockdown shooters like DJ Hogg and Bul Kuol, Pinder has been able to feast inside for much of the season.

A major X-factor for the Taipans will be how much they can get from their bench. Cairns will be hoping to see the return of impressive rookie Sam Waarnedburg, who missed the team’s past two games under the league’s concussion protocols.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans

Tip off: 7:30pm (AEDT), Friday 23 December, 2022

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel

Listen: Clutch Radio

Tickets: Available here