Preview: Round 5 Game 2 v Cairns Taipans

Through six games so far this season, Melbourne United has answered every challenge that has been thrown their way and sit on top of the ladder with an unbeaten 6-0 record.

Next up for United is the Cairns Taipans, who despite their 2-6 record, always present a massive challenge.

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PLAYER TO WATCH

Mitch McCarron is the type of player that you love to play with, but hate to play against. He’s relentless, uncompromising and will always do what is best for his team.

In the win over Illawarra on Wednesday night, McCarron did it all and led from the front with key players – Chris Goulding, Shea Ili and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. – all missing the game due to injury.

Illawarra didn’t have an answer for McCarron as he stuffed the stat-sheet with 17 points (season-high), 7 assist and 4 rebounds.

The impact he had on the game – and any game he plays in – goes far beyond the box score. McCarron makes life easier for his teammates and makes life hell for his opponents. Look for McCarron – along with Yudai Baba – to provide constant defensive pressure to the Taipans’ guards, especially Scott Machado.

While a lot of focus is on McCarron’s defensive exploits, it would be remiss to not note just how good his passing has been this season in his transition to the full-time point guard role.

KEY MATCH UP

Much like McCarron, Scotty Hopson stepped up big time on Wednesday night. He had his best game for United and looked to have found his offensive groove, finishing with a team-high 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.

Hopson and Kouat Noi may not directly match-up on each other for large parts of the game, but both play important roles on the wing for their respective team.

Currently averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, Noi provides plenty of energy for Cairns and in the win over New Zealand on Monday night, Noi recorded 18 points and 5 rebounds.

Hopson is an offensive powerhouse and although he had a slow start to the season, he certainly looks to be finding his feet within the squad and that could spell trouble for the rest of the league, including the Taipans on Saturday.

THE OTHER GUYS

There were big expectations for Cairns coming into this season, with both superstar imports – Cam Oliver and Scott Machado – returning to the team. Although they’ve only won two of eight games so far, everyone knows they can turn it on at any given moment, led by the two aforementioned players.

Machado had a monster double-double of 13 points and 13 assists in the win over the Breakers, while Majok Deng top-scored with 21 points.

Deng and Noi are vital barometers for the Taipans and if United’s wings can keep them relatively in check, Dean Vickerman will be a happy man.

Cairns’ bench has strong depth, with Jarrod Kenny, Nate Jawai, Fabijan Krslovic and NBL Next Star Mojave King all capable of coming in and giving Coach Mike Kelly valuable contributions.

With the Taipans at risk of falling away from the chasing pack for a finals berth, they will no doubt be ready to play come Saturday evening with so much on the line.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans.
Tip off: 5:30pm (AEDT), Saturday 13 February.
Where: Bendigo Basketball Stadium, Bendigo.
Watch: SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.