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Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans: NBL results, scores, blog

22nd October, 2015
Where: Adelaide Arena
Tip-off: 7:30pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports News
Betting: Adelaide $1.81, Cairns $2.00
Last meeting: Adelaide 84-77 Cairns (31/12/2014)
Last five meetings: Adelaide 3-2

Adelaide 36ers (expected)
Point guard: Brendan Teys
Shooting guard: Adam Gibson
Small forward: Lucas Walker
Power forward: Mitch Creek,
Centre: Daniel Johnson
Bench: Matthew Hodgson, Ebi Ere , Jerome Randle , Nathan Sobey, Anthony Petrie and Daniel Carlin

Cairns Taipans
Point Guard: Markel Starks
Shooting Guard: Cameron Gliddon
Small Forward: Stephen Weigh
Power Forward: Alex Loughton
Centre: Matt Burston
Bench: Mark Worthington, Torrey Craig, Shaun Bruce, Damon Heuir, William Sinclair, Anthony Fisher
The Adelaide 36ers host Melbourne United. (Photo credit: Joel Armstrong)
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22nd October, 2015
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Match result:

The Adelaide 36ers have kick started their season with a captivating performance against the Cairns Taipans winning 88-79 at the Adelaide Arena.

Adelaide were led by new import, Jerome Randle who stamped himself as one of the most enthralling and energetic players in the competition following his scintillating debut.

Randle hit 24 points in only 23 minutes as he shot four from six three pointers and 53 percent from the field.

It wasn’t just his shooting that would have impressed Adelaide fans, with his ball handling ability and incredible foot speed sure to provide plenty of highlights throughout the season.

Randle also stepped up in the fourth to halt the fast finishing Taipans who had cut a 15 point lead with only nine minutes remaining.

Randle hit seven straight points before dishing a pair of assists to steal back momentum and leave Cairns chasing their tails down the stretch.

Adelaide 36ers coach, Joey Wright would also have been extremely happy with the performances of Adam Gibson (15 points) and Anthony Petrie (12 points) who both provided spark at either end of the floor.

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Cairns looked no show of stealing the game mid-way through the third quarter until going on a 13-2 run to equal the scores at the end of the third.

Tragardh was the standout performer for the Taipans in his 300th game scoring 16 points and looking very dangerous whenever he got the ball in the paint.

Starks tried to rally the side with 15 points however it was too little too late for Cairns as he was unable to spark his side into action.

Cairns would have been hoping for more from Steven Weigh and Mark Worthington who shot a combined 8- 25 from the floor.

Adelaide will now have to bottle their new found offensive spark and take it across to Sydney for tomorrow night’s clash with the Kings.

Final score:
Adelaide 36ers 88
Cairns Taipans 79

Match preview:

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The Adelaide 36ers are out to kick-start their playoff aspirations when they host a very strong Cairns Taipans at the Adelaide Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:15pm (AEDT).

After a lacklustre start to the season, Adelaide have taken the drastic step of cutting injured import Kenyon McNeail just three games into their campaign.

McNeail has been unable to live up to expectations after injuring his shoulder dunking in the preseason NBL Blitz.

The 36ers have replaced McNeail with former University of California Bears superstar Jerome Randle. At just 175cm tall, Randle comes with a reputation for his ability to score and handle the ball, having performed strongly for the Milwaukee Bucks in Summer League this year.

Adelaide fans should be salivating at the chance to watch Randle following the side’s slow start to the season.

Last year’s minor premiers, Cairns have gone from strength to strength on the back of a deep roster and settled combinations.

Cairns have leant on a balanced roster featuring the likes of Cameron Gliddon, Mathew Burston and the veteran Mark Worthington, all of whom have led the team at times this season.

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For Adelaide to get home tonight, coach Joey Wright will be hoping from more from Ebi Ere and another strong showing from Adam Gibson.

While Gibson has been a leading light for the 36ers this season, Ere has been disappointing and will need to regain some form if Adelaide are to build on their playoff hopes.

Meanwhile, Cairns have shown an ability to come over the top of their opposition late in games.

Prediction
While I expect an improved showing from Adelaide on their home court, Cairns have too many weapons across the board and should get home in a close one.

Cairns by six.

Will the injection of Randle provide Adelaide with a much-needed boost and inspire them to victory, or will the Taipans have too much class and experience for the sputtering 36ers?

Join The Roar from 7:15pm for score updates and debate in our live blog.

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