Xs and Os NBL23: Cairns Taipans

In the return of United’s X’s and O’s series, we will take a deep dive into the key factors surrounding the crucial matchup for Melbourne during the return of its Open Air Game.

Pack the paint and recover on shooters 

Despite being a team that has relied heavily on the three-point shot across their 10-6 start to the season, United may be wise to pick their poison and allow a select few Taipans players fire away from downtown.

Since coming back from the FIBA break, Cairns have only registered double-digit three-point makes twice, shooting the ball from beyond the arc at a 29.3% over that span.

Perhaps on the back of this, the Taipans have looked towards star big-man Keanu Pinder more inside, especially as a roller coming out of the PnR.

Pinder has feasted against United so far this season, attacking the hoop with reckless abandon to the tune of 22 points per game.

If Melbourne wish to stop Pinder, they may be wise to pack the paint on his drives, forcing him to kick it out to an open shooter on the wing and trusting their teammates to recover.

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As seen in the clip above, once he gets the ball on the roll, the rotation comes from the corner to limit his look at the rim.

This forces the ball out, where the JJs defence recovers and makes Cairns have to reset their offence, leading to a missed shot.

Push the pace

Wherever you are, if you stop what you're doing and listen closely, you can hear Dean Vickerman shouting ‘PACE’ at his players.

It has been a primary focus for all of Vickerman’s United teams, and that is no different this season, with his side flying up and down the court over their past four games.

Melbourne will look to capitalise on this pace against the Taipans, especially if the visitors continue their trend of leaning more towards the rim than the three-point line.

Cairns allow the highest proportion of transition opportunities in the league (18.1%), which can hopefully allow United to create more plays like this:

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With Rayjon Tucker at his best in the open court, and Chris Goulding perhaps the league’s most elite trail three-point shooter, the floor opens up for players like Mason Peatling, who sprints hard down the court, capitalising on the attention created by his teammates for an easy dunk.

These opportunities can sometimes even present themselves after makes as well, as seen below with Xavier Rathan-Mayes finding Marcus Lee for a dunk as they catch the defence sleeping after a Phoenix layup.

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With United rolling, having won three of their past four games, fans will get their last opportunity to see their team take the court until 2023 when Melbourne hosts Cairns on Friday evening in the Open Air Game.

Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to get involved in what is a can’t miss opportunity for all basketball fans.

Tickets are on sale here.