NBL 2014/15 Round 9: Cairns continues dominance and make Adelaide pay on a back to back
Last night's game proved to be lots of fun, as the Taipans took on the 36ers and scored the W.
Coming into the game, Adelaide was on a six-game losing streak and was looking to turn things around. After playing Queensland’s other team a night earlier, Adelaide looked visibly tired in this game. The first quarter was an up-and-down affair as Cairn’s strong defense limited the 36ers to 17 in the opening period.
The second period was slightly closer. The Adelaide boys looked to make a strong push to end their losing ways. Jamar Wilson was doing everything he could to keep his team in the game, leading his team is just about every statistical category. For the game he finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
For the Queensland home side, it was their other import who provided the need boost to push the Taipans over the top. Coming off the bench, Torrey Craig scored with 19 for Cairns to go along with 10 rebounds for the double-double. As both sides went to the locker rooms at the half, Adelaide had dug themselves a deep 10-point hole to get out of.
The boys from the south must have been given a good talking to at the half, as they came out strong in the third. They were smothering the Taipans and forcing them into tough shots all the way through. It looked as though the home side was starting to get into trouble as they entered the final frame, the 36ers outscoring the Taipans, 22-13 in the 3rd.
After a dominant game the night before, Adelaide was hoping Motum could produce more of the same. However, the Boomers big man managed only 6 points and 5 rebounds for the game. That was a far cry from the near double-double he had only a night earlier.
The fourth proved what many expected; Cairns was just too good to be subdued for more than one quarter. Scottie Wilbekin and the rest of the Cairns squad left little doubt in this game on their dominance of this league. A true team effort saw 5 players score 10 or more for the home side, in a balanced attack.
The final score saw Cairns up 85-80, highlighting the fact that Perth might just have another team to be concerned about. The final play for Cairns, an and-1 dunk by Burtson off a Gliddon assist, put the exclamation on what was a solid outing for a team looking to challenge for the title.
Adelaide face Melbourne next week, this team is in desperate need of a win. Whilst for the home side, Cairns face Townsville in a Queensland showdown. Be sure to tune in as the excitement continues!
Adelaide (Wilson- 22, Creek-12, Petrie-10)
Cairns (Craig-19, Tragardh-15, Gliddon-14)