DrinkWise Preview: NBL23 - Round 4 v Cairns Taipans

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United are set to open up their blockbuster pair of home games across Round 4 when they face the Cairns Taipans on Thursday evening at John Cain Arena.

Fresh off a 1-1 week, United will be looking to reward their amazing home fans, who have packed out JCA at every opportunity, with a big victory over a Taipans side that is yet to lose on the road.

PLAYER TO WATCH

If last season’s stats are anything to go off, one player who can’t wait to face the Taipans is United star Chris Goulding, who dominated the snakes in all three of their meetings.

Across those three games, Goulding averaged 22.7 points per game, while knocking down more than five triples per game at nearly 60% shooting from outside the arc.

CG has starred for United in their wins this season (20 points, 4.5 threes and two steals per game), and will look to build upon that impressive stat-line on Thursday.

KEY MATCHUP

Last year’s Most Improved Player award winner Keanu Pinder has continued to develop into a star of the league, leading Cairns in scoring and rebounding across their first four games of the season.

It will be up to United’s front-line of Isaac Humpries, David Barlow and Jordan Caroline to do their best to slow down the athletic forward.

Humphries in particular has excelled protecting the hoop to start NBL23, leading the league in blocks per game (2.3).

THE OTHER GUYS

No team has shot more threes per game than the Cairns Taipans so far this season, and looking at their lineup of sharpshooters, it’s easy to see why.

Shannon Scott, DJ Hogg, Bul Kuol and Majok deng are all cashing in on two or more triples per game, while Sam Waardenburg has connected on over 42% of his looks from deep.

With so many shooters on the court, the Taipans are doing a great job of finding the open man, averaging the second most assists per game in the league (20.5).

WANT TO HEAR HOW OUR GUYS BREAK DOWN THE GAME? CLICK HERE

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans

Tip off: 7.30pm (AEDT), Thursday 20 October, 2022

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Tickets: Available here

Watch: ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel

Listen: Broadcast available via Cluch Radio