Both the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats are coming off a loss as the former looks to escape the bottom of the barrel and push towards the playoffs. Join The Roar for all the live scores, highlights and NBL action from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The Taipans and Wildcats both fell short earlier in the round with disappointing performances.
Perth gave up a three-game winning streak on Saturday, going down to the league leaders Adelaide 36ers.
Despite heading into the final quarter on equal footing, the Wildcats collapsed under pressure, losing the last term 29-18 to lose the game by 11.
Cairns also lost their fixture on Saturday, not snapping a winning streak, but instead making it three losses from four games as they risk falling into last place with another defeat today.
They’re only slightly ahead of the Bullets in second last place, who lost a thriller against the Breakers on Sunday, and now Cairns have the unfortunate chance of taking last place at the end of the round.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Wildcats can skip ahead of Melbourne United into third with a win today, but a loss will put them down to fifth below the Kings.
This is only the second meeting between these two sides, the first being their opening game of the season in Round 1.
In what would be a precursor to much of their season, the Taipans fell apart in the final quarter to give the Wildcats a ten-point win.
The Wildcats have plenty of strike power across the court with Casey Prather and Bryce Cotton both averaging over 20 points a game.
Prather and Damian Martin also sit in the top four of leading steals per game for the league.
Prediction
A negative away record might be the only thing holding the Wildcats back from winning this one tonight, but they really do look to be the stronger side.
The Taipans have struggled to piece together four quarters of quality basketball all season and it has continued to cost them games.
Wildcats to win by 8
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME What a thrilling finish that was and the NBL has been producing some absolute crackers in the last few weeks. The Taipans had an 11-point lead late in the game and looked to be home and hosed, but Perth sunk 12 of the last 15 points to bring it down to the dying seconds. This is a huge win for Cairns who keep themselves off the bottom of the ladder and keep their very slim playoff hopes alive. For the Wildcats, this is a big blow for their campaign and will have to keep fighting for a top four spot. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' 4 seconds left on the clock. Two points in it. McKay makes the steal as Cairns try to throw it in from the back!!! BUT HE'S CALLED ON THE OFFENSIVE FOUL!! Can you believe it, McKay did all the hard work there to make the steal and went for the lay up to equalise... but he's been pinned for an offensive foul. Dramatic scenes!! Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Cotton driving into the paint with 7 seconds on the clock... and he's lost the ball out over the baseline!! That could be the last chance for the Wildcats. Hang on... we have a review here. They want to check who the ball came off. It's been called in favour of the Taipans. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 78
Connor Bennett
Editor
Copped a head but I think it was earlier in the quarter. Busted his nose open.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' THREE FOR THE WILDCATS!!! Can you beleive it, Perth are back within two points with under a minute on the clock. Martin had the open two points in the paint, but read the situation well and trusted Kernich-Drew to sink the three-pointer and he does so accordingly. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 78
Johnno
Guest
what injury has Damien martin suffered.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Into the final minute of the game now. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 75
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Cairns pinned for not getting the ball in play and the Wildcats are looking ready to pounce here. And McKay delivers for Perth!! Tipping it in to reduce the gap to just five points. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 75
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Five quick points for Perth as Cotton hits two, then the Wildcats make the quick steal and fastbreak for Wagstaff to his another three for the game. Can they bring this back the Wildcats? Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 73
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Matt Knight tries to settle things down for the Wildcats, bringing that lead back underneath double figures... but Loughton hits the most casual three-pointer you'll see this season from the top of the arc!! Cairns are just hitting everything in the last quarter and the lead is out to 12. Taipans – 80 Wildcats – 68
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' STEPHEN WEIGH FOR THREE!! The Taipans ahve been raining it down from beyond the arc and Weigh adds another to the tally. The Wildcats just can't contain the Cairns offence in the last quarter here and the game is slipping away from them. Taipans – 77 Wildcats – 66
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Cotton laying it up for the Wildcats... but Cairns hit back on the transition in no time through a lay up of their own. Cult hero Nathan Jawai the man to roll it in off the fingertips. Taipans – 74 Wildcats – 66
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' More free throws for the Wildcats as they try to keep up with the home side. McKay again the man at the line and he sinks one from two. Taipans – 72 Wildcats – 64
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' THREE MORE FOR CAIRNS!! What was the defence doing there? Alexz Loughton was just left open at the top of the arc, completely unmarked and he hits a beautiful three-pointer from downtown, finding nothing but net on that one. Taipans – 72 Wildcats – 63
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' McKay fouled on the block and he can take to the line for two free throws. He makes both of them but they still trail by six deep into the last quarter. Taipans – 69 Wildcats – 63
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Jarrad Weeks just beats the shot clock as the buzzer sounds in the background. Superb bit of hustle from Cairns to keep the point alive despite some heavy Wildcats defence. Taipans – 69 Wildcats – 61
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' An important bucket for the Wildcats as Bryce Cotton breaks the Cairns run. Perth really need to string some points together here. Taipans – 67 Wildcats – 61
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' WEIGH OFF THE GLASS!!! How often do you see something like that. Stephen Weigh breaks away from his screen and sinks the long-range jumper off the glass on the rebound. Big three for the home side who are beginning to break away here. Taipans – 67 Wildcats – 59
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' McCarron and Weigh combining for a big five points for the home side in no time. A beautiful alley-oop and a long-range three have the home side firing on all cylinders. Taipans – 64 Wildcats – 59