The Cairns Taipans take on the Adelaide 36ers at the Cairns Convention Centre. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores.
While neither side has experienced a fruitful 2015-16 NBL campaign thus far, the race to the final four is well and truly alive.
Cairns are hoping they can get their season back on track, after dropping three of their last five games. A win tonight would have them just one win outside of the top four.
The 36ers find themselves in a precarious situation. They are at 0.500 (six wins and six losses), but have won three of their last five games. While Adelaide have been playing relatively competitive basketball, a lapse in the mid-season plateau could be disastrous. If they want to maintain their position in the rankings, a win on the road against the Taipans would be invaluable.
If the 36ers can maintain their stoic defensive pressure from the last handful of games, then they are every chance of securing victory.
Jerome Randle, Adelaide’s American import, will be one to watch in this contest. He’s averaging 21.7 points per game (second in the NBL) on 42 per cent from the floor, and dishing out five assists per game for the 36ers. If he gets hot, then the 36ers have a good chance.
Prediction
The Taipans are always tough at home. However, if Adelaide can bring their defensive intensity from the past couple of games and Randle gets into a groove early, they can win this game.
36ers by 3 points.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Match result: The Adelaide 36ers have secured a huge win on the road, as Jerome Randle single handedly dismantled the Cairns Taipans. Randle was exceptionally poor in the first half, and looked relatively disengaged. But as is the case with most elite players, when they are switched on, the difference is night and day. Randle exploded for 28 points, including three bombs from long range. He shot 50% from the floor and also chipped in with two dimes and two rebounds. Daniel Johnson was also prolific for the 36ers, he compiled a neat 17 points and had five rebounds of his own. For the Taipans, it was a case of so close but so far. Mark Worthington had a big night out, posting 19 points on 13 shots. Both teams were composed with the ball in the first half, but as the pressure ramped up and time got closer to expiration, the turnovers began to rise. The harsh truth about tonight's game is if Cairns gave better effort on the defensive side of the court, they probably come home victors. The Taipans leaked points all night, no matter the line up. Randle was simply unstoppable, but Cairns inability to defend the three point line (Adelaide shot 45% from down town) and secure the paint (26 rebounds to 29) made a victory extremely difficult. Adelaide took a step closer to separating themselves from the tightly contested middle rung of the NBL standings this season, as they improve to 7-6. Thanks for joining me tonight, I hope you enjoyed the game! As always, jump on board The Roar's live coverage of the iconic day night test match or check out the other NBL game on tonight (Wildcats v Breakers). Until then!
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
What a hectic finish! Daniel Johnson gets the last points of the game. Randle lost possession of the ball and Cairns had a chance to tie the game. Gliddon took a tough step back three but missed and it appeared that Worthington was fouled as he gathered the offensive rebound and missed, but the refs swallowed the whistle and the clock ran out. Huge win for the Adelaide 36ers. Wrap up to come soon. Stay tuned.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Randle misses the three! Cairns have the ball...
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
TURNOVER!!! Petrie has had a disastrous couple of minutes, Gliddon steals the ball and finishes the layup! It's now a one possession game here. Cairns 83, Adelaide 86.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
He nails both shots from the charity stripe. 90 seconds left in the game. The margin is five!
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Travelling violation on Petrie. Cairns will regain position, Weigh is fouled on the inbounds play and will shoot free throws.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Oh wait... oh wait! Worthington goes bang and nails the three! I may have spoke too soon!! Oh yes, of course. Randle makes another jumpshot, someone get some water for that man! He is on fire!! Timeout on the floor. Cairns 79, Adelaide 86.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Loughton goes two of two at the line. The margin is eight points, two minutes left.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Randle will go the line, he blows by Worthington and he is left with no option but to foul. Cairns 74, Adelaide 82.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Strong finish by Worthington, but it's too little too late.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Teys hits the huge three, and that will do it. There is still a little bit of time left in the game but the 36ers have sealed this win. Huge games by Randle and Johnson. Timeout on the floor.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Four minutes left here in the last quarter. Weigh is fouled, he will go to the line.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Randle.... this is just unfair. He hits yet another triple off the catch and shoot opportunity. Cairns 70, Adelaide 79.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Randle has officially taken over the game. He crosses up Bruce and hits the mid range jumper. Adelaide up by nine now, it's looking ominous. He has 21 points now. Cairns 67, Adelaide 76.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Randle makes the free throw. Cairns 67, Adelaide 74.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
RANDLEEEEEE! Unbelievable! The second he is back in the game, he steps back off the screen and hits a ridiculously tough shot, and is fouled in the process!
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Bruce again! Inexcusable defensive effort by the 36ers, who allow Bruce to grab the offensive rebound and complete the put back. They are within four now! Cairns 67, Adelaide 71. Timeout on the floor.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Ere curls around the screen and hits Petrie who calmly nails the three! Another huge shot for the 36ers! The Taipans really need to get some stops. Cairns 65, Adelaide 71.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Nice little fadeaway by Bruce, Cairns draw to within five points.
Justin Ware
Roar Guru
Huge blow by Ere. Nails a big triple. Flattens the home crowd. Cairns 61, Adelaide 68.