The Cairns Taipans have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in their first match of the 2016-17 NBL season, going down to the Perth Wildcats on the road by ten points in a match that went to overtime.
The Taipans held the lead into the last minute, and the last handful of seconds but an incredible shot from Jaron Johnson in the last two seconds from behind the arc would tie the game up and send it to overtime.
From there, the Wildcats played their best minutes of basketball so far this season, and ran away with a ten point lead in a fantastic effort. Johnson stayed on fire while Damian Martin and Jameel McKay added plenty for the side.
Apart from his excellent defence that so often keeps the Wildcats in the game, Martin knocked down some clutch buckets including a three in overtime – something he isn’t known for to extend their lead and heap the pressure on opponents.
While Perth certainly improved on both ends of the court from their season-opening loss, they still have plenty to work on. Their defence for the most part looks good, but their offence leaves a lot to be desired.
After being down by 11 at the end of the first quarter, the Taipans did a great job to stay with the game and get back into it at the end of the second and into the third.
Fuquan Edwin and Nnanna Egwu proved to be dominant in the paint while Jarrad Weeks and Mark Worthington added plenty with the ball, as did energetic guard Cameron Gliddon.
The Taipans defence was also solid, but let them down in the clutch moments. They were blown off the court during the first quarter, and it took them a long time to get back into the match, and again in overtime as they failed to mark up or hit a shot of their own.
A loss like that will seriously hurt the Taipans, but all in all a strong start to their season as the Wildcats finally register a victory.
Final Score
Perth Wildcats 84
Cairns Taipans 74
The Perth Wildcats will be out to make a statement after dropping their first game of the season when they host the Cairns Taipans who could be in for a long season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30pm (AEDT).
Perth played in the season opener on Thursday night, going down to the Brisbane Bullets by seven points by leading at one point by 13.
While it wasn’t a shock loss for the defending premiers, it was one that has only elevated the profile of questions that hung over them before a ball was shot for the season.
Where their creativity and points are coming from is a big issue, and even with Jameel McKay firing in the point they lack a closing scorer – Jermaine Beal played that role for them last year.
Damian Martin led them in their lockdown defence exploits, and it worked early but Brisbane seemed to figure them out as the match wore on and Perth never looked like matching them for points.
Jaron Johnson and Casey Prather were both poor on the offensive end though as they scored a combined 15 points shooting a poor five of 19 from the field so there is reason to think improvement is on the way.
Unfortunately for Cairns, they have been tipped by many to pick up the wooden spoon this season and while they aren’t that far behind the rest of the teams, the closeness of the competition means perfection must not only be strived for, but achieved.
Maybe the biggest storyline of this match is Cairns’ signing of Nate Jawai. He takes on his former club away from home in the first match of the season, and coming up against new import Jameel McKay won’t be an easy feat.
Cairns have been relaitvely settled with their veterans as the likes of Cameron Gliddon, Alex Loughton, Stephen Weigh and Mark Worthington stay on for another season, but the key man is import point guard Travis Trice.
He has to direct the team at the top, setting up scoring opportunities and ensuring the team stays structured.
Given how well they played at the Australian Basketball Challenge, Cairns aren’t a team to completely write off either.
Prediction
Before the season opener Perth would have been runaway favourites and while they should still pick up their first win of the season at home, don’t expect it to be as big a gap as first thought. In saying that, they could make this a statement sort of game.
Perth by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Perth Wildcats first home game for 2016-17 from 9:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results The Cairns Taipans have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in their first match of the 2016-17 NBL season, going down to the Perth Wildcats on the road by ten points in a match that went to overtime. The Taipans held the lead into the last minute, and the last handful of seconds but an incredible shot from Jaron Johnson in the last two seconds from behind the arc would tie the game up and send it to overtime. From there, the Wildcats played their best minutes of basketball so far this season, and ran away with a ten point lead in a fantastic effort. Johnson stayed on fire while Damian Martin and Jameel McKay added plenty for the side. Apart from his excellent defence that so often keeps the Wildcats in the game, Martin knocked down some clutch buckets including a three in overtime - something he isn't known for to extend their lead and heap the pressure on opponents. While Perth certainly improved on both ends of the court from their season-opening loss, they still have plenty to work on. Their defence for the most part looks good, but their offence leaves a lot to be desired. After being down by 11 at the end of the first quarter, the Taipans did a great job to stay with the game and get back into it at the end of the second and into the third. Fuquan Edwin and Nnanna Egwu proved to be dominant in the paint while Jarrad Weeks and Mark Worthington added plenty with the ball, as did energetic guard Cameron Gliddon. The Taipans defence was also solid, but let them down in the clutch moments. They were blown off the court during the first quarter, and it took them a long time to get back into the match, and again in overtime as they failed to mark up or hit a shot of their own. A loss like that will seriously hurt the Taipans, but all in all a strong start to their season as the Wildcats finally register a victory. Final Score Perth Wildcats 84 Cairns Taipans 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Statistics Field Goals: Wildcats (30/62 @ 48%), Taipans (22/73 @ 30%) Three Pointers: Wildcats (9/27 @ 33%), Taipans (7/32 @ 21%) Free Throws: Wildcats (15/22 @ 68%), Taipans (23/37 @ 85%) Rebounds: Wildcats (49), Taipans (36) Assists: Wildcats (22), Taipans (17) Steals: Wildcats (3), Taipans (8) Blocks: Wildcats (4), Taipans (1) Turnovers: Wildcats (15), Taipans (6) Points in paint: Wildcats (34), Taipans (28) Second chance points: Wildcats (11), Taipans (10) Points off turnovers: Wildcats (13), Taipans (16) Bench points: Wildcats (12), Taipans (18)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown 1st Quarter Wildcats 19 - Taipans 8 2nd Quarter Wildcats 12 - Taipans 15 3rd Quarter Wildcats 16 - Taipans 25 4th Quarter Wildcats 21 - Taipans 20 Overtime (1) Wildcats 16 - Taipans 6 Fulltime Perth Wildcats 84 Cairns Taipans 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full stats and report to come. Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016-17 NBL season this evening as the Perth Wildcats escape with victory by ten points over the Cairns Taipans. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Round 1, which has been epic so far promises to have a cracking conclusion tomorrow as Melbourne United take on the Adelaide 36ers at Hisense Arena from 3pm (AEDT). Be sure to join Riley Pettigrew for that one. Meanwhile, I'll be live from 11am with the greatest motor race in Australia - the Bathurst 1000. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Offt almost got that one down to the point! Cheers Damo! Can't wait. Might get some sleep before that I think haha.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Player of the Game: Jaron Johnson. On the three point shot: 'It was all confidence man.'
Damo
Guest
Spoils your tip! Thanks for the call Scott, see ya tomorrow.
Scott Pryde
Expert
CROWD: 12, 701
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Weeks runs the length of the floor and throws down a monster jam, but it simply won't matter. The Perth Wildcats run away in overtime and win by 10. Perth Wildcats - 84 Cairns Taipans - 74
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Prather makes one. Wildcats - 84 Taipans - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Gliddon throws up a very awkward looking running three and the Wildcats will now just run the clock down to nothing, taking not a convincing win, but an overtime period that was as dominant as they come. Prather drives and is fouled. Wildcats - 83 Taipans - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' McKay makes both. Wildcats - 83 Taipans - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' The Taipans go to Worthington and he misses before McKay is fouled by Edwin and we will walk the court for free throws. Wildcats - 81 Taipans - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' The Wildcats finally come up with a miss and the Taipans struggling to move down the court fast. Time running down before Weeks is fouled by Wagstaff. 43 seconds on the clock. Wildcats - 81 Taipans - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' Edwin makes both. Wildcats - 81 Taipans - 72
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Once the Perth crowd gets fired up it is very hard to over come them, it is awesome to be at a Wildcats home game when something like that happens.
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' Edwin into the paint and he is fouled. Wildcats - 81 Taipans - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' Jaron Johnson is on FIRE! He runs the shot clock down and then fires from way downtown, knocking it down! 11 point game and that might do it. Wildcats - 81 Taipans - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 1' The Taipans go through Weeks and he is running the shot clock down before having to drive himself, and missing. Could have been and should have been a foul there. Wildcats - 78 Taipans - 70
Damo
Guest
Unbelievable. Perth almost no right to win this after Worthos clutch frees and now they might run away with it.