DrinkWise Preview: Round 12 Game 1 v Cairns Taipans

Having won three games in row, Melbourne United has rediscovered its defensive identity and will be looking to make it four wins on the trot on Good Friday against the Cairns Taipans.

John Cain Arena will be packed to start the Easter long weekend and $1 from every ticket sold goes to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. It’s a game you won’t want to miss.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jack White returned to the court on Saturday night against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Throwdown VII and it sure was great to have him back. After missing a month with a finger injury, White came off the bench and played 16 minutes and finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds in United’s resounding 80-60 win.

As his minutes increase and he fits back into the United line-up, his impact on games will only increase. He provides so much energy to Melbourne and his defensive work is so important.

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White, Jock Landale and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. combine to create a deadly big man trio. All three provide so much on both ends of the court and the opposition doesn’t have a chance to rest with the trio all playing plenty of minutes.

KEY MATCH UP

It’s hard to go past the match up between Jock Landale and Cam Oliver when looking at this game. Both bigs are among the very best in the league, provide so much energy and love to throwdown a thunderous dunk.

Landale has been a consistent performer for United all season long; a force on the offensive end and an anchor on the defensive end. Averaging 16.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting a healthy 52% from the field, Landale can be relied upon to come up with key buckets in the big moments or when United’s offence is struggling to get going.

While the Taipans haven’t been able to chalk up many wins this season, Oliver has still been a strong contributor with averages of 16 points and 8.9 rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the field.

Oliver’s one of the most exciting big men to watch in the league and can create a highlight in the blink of an eye, so you won’t want to look away for a second in this encounter.

This match up will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this game. Melbourne’s tremendous big man depth, as mentioned above, will play a key role in slowing down Oliver and if they can keep him in check, United might just have the upper hand.

THE OTHER GUYS

The Cairns Taipans haven’t been able to find a recipe to success this season after a hugely impressive NBL20 campaign, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a threat.

Currently sitting on the bottom of the ladder with a 5-14 record, Cairns haven’t been able to slow down teams on the offensive end. Having said that, they did claim a win on Monday night against the Adelaide 36ers, 79-65.

In that game, Oliver (19 points and 9 rebounds) was dominant, while Scott Machado (17 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds) was involved in everything as he so often is.

Despite their record, the Taipans have all the makings of a tough team, led by Machado and Oliver. When they put it all together, they’re a handful and that could happen on any given night.

Mirko Djeric is a sharpshooter and can catch fire from deep. Averaging 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, he is a player that must be kept in check because Machado loves to find him open shots on the wings.

Fabijan Krslovic and Nate Jawai are two key players off the bench for the Taipans and both offer some real offensive punch when they get going.

Another player to keep an eye on is young gun Mojave King. He has played limited minutes so far this season, but has certainly displayed some of that potential that has seen him be talked about as one of the rising stars in Australian basketball.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans.
Tip off: 5:30pm (AEDT), Friday 2 April.
Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne.
Watch: ESPN and SBS On Demand.
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