After a very back and forth game that was never truly allowed to flow the way either team would have liked, the Cairns Taipans were able to execute better down the stretch and as a result have taken a six point home victory over the Townsville Crocodiles.
Plenty of lead changes characterised the game, but in the end the ultimate depth of the Taipans, with all of their players getting hot at various times and contributing on both ends of the floor, were able to run over the top of the Crocodiles.
While Cameron Gliddon was named as the man of the match in the win for the Taipans, it was a complete team performance that led to the victory. Gliddon ended up with 16 points and 5 rebounds, however the input off the bench was key in the middle two quarters.
Mark Worthington, along with Torrey Craig and Steven Bruce made sure the Taipans would stay in the game at various points when it looked like the Crocodiles might have been able to gab the upper hand.
For the Crocodiles, it was all Brian Conklin early in the match and they were brilliant from the free throw line, picking up a lot of fouls and having a heavy inside presence.
Throughout the game though, Conklin’s impact lessened. He was replaced providing the input by Jordair Jett, although he was a little bit inconsistent at times. Clint Steindl and Nicholas Kay provided the Crocodiles plenty and kept them in the game.
After a fast start, the only thing keeping the Taipans in the game was Steven Weigh who had a seriously hot start to the match. At quarter time, the Crocodiles would lead by two points, before a similarly tight second quarter with plenty of lead changes led to a tied game at the end of the first half.
The third quarter would see the Crocodiles again gain the upper hand, playing a positive brand of basketball. In saying that though, a lot of the third quarter saw a lack of scoring, with neither team able to find the basket. However, the final couple of minutes saw the scoring open up again.
Going into the final quarter, the Crocodiles led the game by three points. However, they would not be able to hold their own down the stretch. Gliddon and Matthew Burston started to light it up, and the Crocodiles struggled to stay in the game, being down by 10 at one stage.
The victory for the Taipans leaves them with a two and one record, while the Crocodiles certainly didn’t play badly they will lose some of the momentum gained from their mid week win over the Sydney Kings. They sit with a one win, three loss record.
Next week, the tough start to the season for the Crocodiles continues as they travel to take on both Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats while the Taipans also have a pair of away games against the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United.
Tonight though, the Cairns Taipans taking a hard fought victory over the Townsville Crocodiles at home by six points.
Final score:
Cairns Taipans 80
Townsville Crocodiles 74
The first reptile rumble of the 2015-2016 NBL season is shaping as an incredibly important and interesting game. The Cairns Taipans look to get back to their best when they take on the Townsville Crocodiles to close out Round 2 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
For the Taipans, this is their only game in Round 2 after going one win and one loss in Round 1. They managed to record a strong home victory against the Illawarra Hawks before looking like a completely different team just two nights later, suffering a blow out loss at the hands of the Sydney Kings away from home.
Undoubtedly their best player across the two games was Mark Worthington, his impact across the bench giving the already strong Taipans starting line-up a real x-factor. His input is going to be pivotal to the Taipans’ success this season, no doubt about it.
It is certainly a question worth asking whether fatigue got to the Taipans in that away loss to the Kings, and it will be telling whether they can bounce back in this game.
The Crocodiles meanwhile lost both of their games in the opening round. Firstly, they had a huge loss at home against Melbourne United, before a close loss at the hands of the New Zealand Breakers away from home.
They then shocked the Sydney Kings on Thursday night to open Round 2, winning by just three points in a game that went right to the end. Their best feature, undoubtedly with a young side that at times is getting outplayed, is hanging in and playing tough basketball, waiting for mistakes and then making the most of them.
Last year’s MVP Brian Conklin is the key to their offence, however as shown against the Kings Jordair Jett really has the ability to stand up and be the difference for the Crocodiles.
Incredibly, the Taipans have won all of their last five against the Crocodiles and this will certainly be playing on the minds of both teams coming into the clash.
Prediction: Cairns should be the better side in this one. The Crocodiles have hung in during all their games, so expect it to be close, but Cairns have had a long break and will get the job done at home.
Taipans by 9.
Join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your thoughts and comments in the section below as the game unfolds.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar this evening for our live coverage of the 2015-2016 NBL Season as the Cairns Taipans managed to record a six point victory over the Townsville Crocodiles. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Be sure to join us next week for more NBL coverage! Goodnight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Let's have a look at the fixtures for next weekend (All times AEDT): ROUND THREE FIXTURES: Wednesday 5:30pm - New Zealand Breakers vs Sydney Kings @ North Shore Events Centre Wednesday 7:30pm - Melbourne United vs Townsville Crocodiles @ Hisense Arena Thursday 7:30pm - Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans @ Adelaide Arena Friday 7:30pm - Sydney Kings vs Adelaide 36ers @ Qantas Credit Union Arena Friday 9:30pm - Perth Wildcats vs Townsville Crocodiles @ Perth Arena Saturday 7:30pm - Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans @ Hisense Arena Sunday 3pm - Illawarra Hawks vs Perth Wildcats @ WIN Entertainment Centre Remember, you can catch live coverage on The Roar of every game!
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME: Cairns Taipans 80 Townsville Crocodiles 74 After a very back and forth game that was never truly allowed to flow the way either team would have liked, the Cairns Taipans were able to execute better down the stretch and as a result have taken a six point home victory over the Townsville Crocodiles. Plenty of lead changes characterised the game, but in the end the ultimate depth of the Taipans, with all of their players getting hot at various times and contributing on both ends of the floor was able to run over the top of the Crocodiles. While Cameron Gliddon was named as the man of the match in the win for the Taipans, it was a complete team performance that led to the victory. Gliddon ended up with 16 points and 5 rebounds, however the input off the bench was key in the middle two quarters. Mark Worthington, along with Torrey Craig and Steven Bruce made sure the Taipans would stay in the game at various points when it looked like the Crocodiles might have been able to gab the upper hand. For the Crocodiles, it was all Brian Conklin early in the match and they were brilliant from the free throw line, picking up a lot of fouls and having a heavy inside presence. Throughout the game though, Conklin's impact lessened. He was replaced providing the input by Jordair Jett, although he was a little bit inconsistent at times. Clint Steindl and Nicholas Kay provided the Crocodiles plenty and kept them in the game. After a fast start, the only thing keeping the Taipans in the game was Steven Weigh who had a seriously hot start to the match. At quarter time, the Crocodiles would lead by two points, before a similarly tight second quarter with plenty of lead changes led to a tied game at the end of the first half. The third quarter would see the Crocodiles again gain the upper hand, playing a positive brand of basketball. In saying that though, a lot of the third quarter saw a lack of scoring, with neither team able to find the basket. However, the final couple of minutes saw the scoring open up again. Going into the final quarter, the Crocodiles led the game by three points. However, they would not be able to hold their own down the stretch. Gliddon and Matthew Burston started to light it up, and the Crocodiles struggled to stay in the game, being down by 10 at one stage. The victory for the Taipans leaves them with a two and one record, while the Crocodiles certainly didn't play badly they will lose some of the momentum gained from their mid week win over the Sydney Kings. They sit with a one win, three loss record. Next week, the tough start to the season for the Crocodiles continues as they travel to take on both Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats while the Taipans also have a pair of away games against the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United. Tonight though, the Cairns Taipans taking a hard fought victory over the Townsville Crocodiles at home by six points.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Report next.
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS LEADERS: CAIRNS TAIPANS: Points: Cameron Gliddon (16), Matthew Burston (13), Shaun Bruce (12), Steven Weigh (12) Rebounds: Matthew Burston (7), Torrey Craig (5), Cameron Gliddon (5), Cameron Tragardh (4) Assists: Markel Starks (6) Blocks: Matthew Burston (2) Steals: Cameron Gliddon, Steven Weigh, Matthew Burston, Mark Worthington (1) TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES: Points: Clint Steindl (13), Brian Conklin (12), Nicholas Kay (10) Rebounds: Leon Henry (5), Jordair Jett, Mitchell Young, Clint Steindl (4) Assists: Brian Conklin (5) Blocks: Luke Schenscher, Leon Henry (1) Steals: Jordair Jett (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS: Field Goals: Taipans (29/65 @ 44%), Crocodiles: (23/57 @ 40%) 3 pointers: Taipans (6/23 @ 26%), Crocodiles (6/16 @ 37%) Free throws: Taipans (16/23 @ 69%), Crocodiles (22/29 @ 75%) Rebounds: Taipans (30), Crocodiles (27) Assists: Taipans (14), Crocodiles (12) Steals: Taipans (4), Crocodiles (4) Blocks: Taipans (2), Crocodiles (2) Turnovers: Taipans (9), Crocodiles (11) Points in the paint: Taipans (34), Crocodiles (28) Second chance points: Taipans (9), Crocodiles (9) Points off turnovers: Taipans (6), Crocodiles (4)
Scott Pryde
Expert
SCORE BREAKDOWN: First Quarter: Taipans 19 - Crocodiles 21 Second Quarter: Taipans 21 - Crocodiles 19 Third Quarter: Taipans 18 - Crocodiles 21 Fourth Quarter: Taipans 22 - Crocodiles 23 OVERALL: Cairns Taipans 80 Townsville Crocodiles 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full stats and report will be on their way shortly.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Man of the match is CAMERON GLIDDON
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on that game Roarers? Plenty to work on for both sides.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME Apparently that wasn't full time last time I posted. The Taipans inbound and that will be it now. Taipans - 80 Crocodiles - 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME The Taipans are happy to run the shot clock down here and eventually Loughton heads inside, missing the lay up. Turnover as the ball goes out of play and Djeric hits a ball fro just over half way as the clock expires. Great win for the Taipans there, grinding it out in the second half! Taipans - 80 Crocodiles - 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Schenscher misses the first, hits the second. Taipans - 80 Crocodiles - 71
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Leon Henry misses a long ball for the Crocs after Norton had taken it inside and you would have to think that is that. The Taipans take the whole shot clock before Worthington misses and a foul is drawn by the Crocs. 28.5 seconds to go. Taipans - 80 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Burston is good enough to bury one of his free throws. 10 point game. Taipans - 80 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Turnover inside for the Crocodiles! Gliddon misses the 2 before a whistle is blown after Burston pulled the board down. Taipans - 79 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Gliddon hits the free throw. Taipans - 79 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q1 1' That was called not on the shot. From the inbound they go for the 3 through Jett who misses. Offensive board for Steindl, who slips, loses the ball and Gliddon goes coast to coast completing the lay up and drawing the foul! Steindl very sore as he heads off the court. Taipans - 78 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Taipans under all sorts of pressure as the shot clock expires and Bruce is forced to fire from very deep, missing the shot. Jett drives into the paint, misses the lay up and is fouled by Burston. Time out called with 1:45 on the clock. Time starting to become the enemy for the Crocs now. Taipans - 76 Crocodiles - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' The Taipans lose a bit of what they are doing on this offensive set and Weigh eventually throws up a poor looking jump shot that misses. The Crocs come down the floor before Jett drives, pulls up and misses the jump shot. Taipans - 76 Crocodiles - 70