The Adelaide 36ers were dealt a crushing blow with Mitch Creek ruled out for eight weeks, but will be looking to get back-to-back wins on the board when they host the struggling Cairns Taipans. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
It was a tale of contrasting fortunes for the 36ers in Round 2, as they lost their first match (and their captain) against Melbourne United before turning it around for an overtime win on the road against the Brisbane Bullets.
After the high of Round 1, when they defeated Melbourne on the road, they were sent spiralling downhill with a double-digit loss to the NBL glamour club.
That down didn’t last too long though, with Jerome Randle putting on a show for the second time this season and inspiring the club to an overtime win against the Brisbane Bullets, despite always looking to be behind in the contest.
As is going to be the case for Adelaide more often than not this season, Randle will be the key, but others – in particular, Nathan Sobey and Brendan Teys – are starting to show their worth while imports Terrance Ferguson and Eric Jacobsen are doing the same.
For Cairns, it has been an extremely difficult start to the year, one they have spent on the road struggling to gain any real sense of momentum despite playing some fantastic basketball.
Coming into Round 3, they are the only team to have not won a game, but then again they are also the only team who hasn’t played two matches in a round or had a home fixture yet.
In Round 1, without their key centre Nate Jawai on the floor, they took it right to the Perth Wildcats, eventually going down in overtime before not being able to keep up with the Sydney Kings down the stretch last weekend.
Jawai being back gives them plenty of size inside, and with their frontcourt imports, Fuquan Edwin and Nnanna Egwu, firing, they have been strong defensively.
Unfortunately, their offence is lacking a little bit of creativity and spark which is an issue that Travis Trice was supposed – but hasn’t been able – to fix.
That has put a lot of extra pressure on the likes of Cameron Gliddon and Jarrad Weeks, who have done a solid job but not enough to get the Taipans over the line.
Prediction
Adelaide, despite being at home, have plenty of cards stacked against them. They have been inconsistent, and don’t expect that to improve without Creek on the floor. Cairns took Perth to the wire, and with Nate Jawai working his way back into form, they should get their first win of the season here.
Taipans by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 3 NBL fixture from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to get involved by adding a comment in the section below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Ha good on you then! I'm on the other game if you want to hang around!
Bryn
Guest
Luckily I predecided it wasn't your night ;P Great chatting mate.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Adelaide just too good tonight, with Jerome Randle leading from the front once again, supported well by Daniel Johnson, Terrance Ferguson, Eric Jacobsen, Nathan Sobey and Brendan Teys among others as they take a commanding 16 point win over the Cairns Taipans. It's straight onto the next one here - Perth Wildcats vs Illawarra Hawks. Join me here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/21/perth-wildcats-vs-illawarra-hawks-nbl-live-scores-blog-2/ Repeating the final score in Adelaide. Adelaide 36ers 83 Cairns Taipans 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
No surprises, Jerome Randle is our man of the match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Adelaide bring it down the floor through Larkins who is getting a bit of time. He draws a foul and hits a three that won't count. Larkins takes it again and that'll do us. What a win for Adelaide. Adelaide 36ers - 83 Cairns Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Now Worthington gets fouled out as well. He has been a villain tonight and don't the crowd love that. 36ers - 83 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Hodgson throws one down for good measure and this last minute getting very scrappy here. 36ers - 83 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Weeks finds some space now but that won't fall for him and nothing going his way here. Randle once again controlling possession and then throws a ball inside for a missed shot but Johnson with the put back bucket. 36ers - 81 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Now it's Teys with a missed three. Couple of offensive boards and they can't get a put back before Jacobsen is pinged for a foul. 36ers - 79 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Gliddon now finds an open shot in the corner but that misses. Radle with a good dribble move but he misses a long three. Cairns go to Gliddon who fires up a three again and it misses once more. 36ers - 79 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' The Taipans now turn it over again with a shocking pass looking for an open man on the perimeter. Randle drives and he has lost it over the baseline as well. 36ers - 79 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Taipans now with a turnover before Randle controls things for Adelaide. He now takes on Loughton and then steps back with a massive three from the carpark. 36ers - 79 Taipans - 67
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Whatever they drew up in that time out worked a treat there! Adelaide go to Sobey with a lovely ball from Randle and he throws it down! BOOM! 36ers - 76 Taipans - 65
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roarers, can the Taipans stage an epic comeback here?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Time out Taipans. 36ers - 74 Taipans - 65
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Randle with a behind the back pass to Teys who then turns it over on a bounce pass. Trice drives baseline and that opens up Worthington at the top who knocks down a big three! Lead back inside single figures. 36ers - 74 Taipans - 65
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Weeks adds the extra. 36ers - 74 Taipans - 62
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Weeks now goes on the drive and draws the foul, putting in a very tough lay up as well. And one opportunity. 36ers - 74 Taipans - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Cameron Gliddon starting to heat up here as he makes a big three from the wing. Randle is not missing a beat though as he goes inside and passes to Jacobsen for an easy hook shot. 36ers - 74 Taipans - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Randle to Hodgson and that falls! Fantastic play before the Taipans do the opposite and turn it over. RANDLE! He is putting on a show as he gets around Weeks and makes another good shot. 36ers - 72 Taipans - 56