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Can the Cairns Taipans be the first team to stop the undefeated Melbourne United in this 2015-16 NBL season? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Melbourne United have had an absolutely incredible first third of the season, winning nine from nine games to leave them flying ahead of the rest of the league at the top of the table.
While they have been under pressure a couple of times, they have never really looked like losing by much more than a handful of points, and realistically losing at all.
Chris Goulding already has his name in the ring as a possible league MVP for the season. He has been on absolute fire with his shooting, which is just off the charts. Averaging over 20 points per game and sitting in the top five for that stat, his ball movement and defence has also been fantastic.
While he has been the best player for United, he has been backed up superbly by big men Majok Majok and Daniel Kickert. Majok in particular has been fantastic on the glass, averaging over 10 per game.
Melbourne’s last game of course was that controversial one point victory over the New Zealand Breakers last Sunday.
The Taipans, last year’s runners up have been inconsistent, and well below their best so far this season. They currently sit sixth on the ladder, having won three of their eight games. While that is below a 50 per cent winning percentage, they are right in with the pack, as only two games separates second and sixth place at this stage of the season.
Mark Worthington has been their best player, although when Markel Starks gets going his shooting can be as good, if not better than that of Goulding. Starks of course, hit that massive three point shot against the Adelaide 36ers to grab a last second victory.
The Taipans really need to increase their inside presence if they hope to match it with United, who are one of the strongest rebounding teams in the competition.
Prediction: As good as the Taipans have proven to be at various points this season, particularly when under pressure – United have too many shooters and their all round game is just too good.
United by 8.
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Preview written by Scott Pryde
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