The Perth Wildcats are out to secure a spot in the NBL grand final with a straight-sets victory when they head home to host the battling Cairns Taipans in Game 2. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 9:30pm (AEDT).
Perth is one of, if not the hardest place to play in the league, so when Cairns were blown off the floor in Game 1, it felt like the series may have already written its conclusion.
After a season series between the sides that barely saw a gap open up to double digits, the enormity of the semi-final battle got the Taipans early in the piece and they simply never recovered.
Despite his efforts at both ends of the floor, veteran Mark Worthington couldn’t stop the rot, as Perth powered up 91 points.
The Taipans’ defence came in bursts and when it worked they were able to get on a few runs, but in hindsight the game was over halfway through the first quarter.
A slow start against the Wildcats is close on impossible to recover from, and with their offence floundering – Travis Trice leading the way in that department – it was never going to be easy.
Trice will be under a mountain of pressure heading into this second game to get his attack flowing and actually have the confidence to take shots – something that, for the first time this season, was servely lacking during Game 1.
Perth might have dominated the contest as a whole, but looking at the box score paints a different picture, with imports Bryce Cotton and Casey Prather scoring well over half the team’s points.
If it wasn’t for those two, the Wildcats would have struggled, with no others looking dangerous on the offensive end.
Of course, the Wildcats’ defensive effort was second to none and choked the Taipans to under 70 points, a position where it’s nearly impossible to win. Australian Boomer Damian Martin led that effort, and will do so again in Game 2.
If Perth get the same level of production from their imports, they are going to be hard to beat. They were the difference in Game 1, but if they do go quiet – as they have at different points during the regular season – then this will be close.
Prediction
The Wildcats were strong on the road and will be again in front of 13,000 fans. The Taipans have battled well at the Perth Arena this season, so it shouldn’t be a blowout, but in the end the experience of the men in red will get the job done.
Perth by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the second game in this NBL semi-final series from 9:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Nudge
Guest
I think so mate. Wollongong were the team that worried me the most. It's going to be a very tough game on Thursday night though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No worries Damo! Thanks for reading. Absolutely. Can't wait. Hopefully we have six games left for the season eh.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for that Nudge. You confident Adelaide can get it done now?
Nudge
Guest
Great work Scott. Cheers
Damo
Guest
Thanks for the call and insight Scott, see you later in the week.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NBL finals, with the Perth Wildcats securing their grand final spot. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back on Thursday night from 7:30pm (AEDT) for Game 3 of the Adelaide 36ers vs Illawarra Hawks semi-final series. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah insane to think they almost missed the finals. Randle is the key if it's a Perth vs Adelaide finals series. Whichever way it goes, I just want five games of brilliant Basketball.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Perth Wildcats have become the first team to book their spot in the NBL grand final with an eight point win to complete a clean sweep of the Cairns Taipans at home. After going out on the road in Game 1 and pulling off a 22 point win, the Wildcats had to work harder for it at home, but dominated from start to finish for the victory. They were again able to shut down any scoring runs from the Taipans, who only sprung to life in the second half after putting up just 22 points in the first. The Wildcats offence wasn't brilliant either, but they did enough to build a big lead during the first half, going to the main break with a 15-point buffer. Jesse Wagstaff was the main destroyer as he dropped a mountain of threes. Casey Prather had an impact, while Bryce Cotton turned into a distributor rather than a scorer, as Matty Knight benefited making a stack of shots from the high post area. Travis Trice was the only Cairns player to look like doing anything in offence during the first half, going to the break with 14 of the Taipans 22 points. Mark Worthington and Tony Mitchell would turn up to support him during the second, but their shooting percentage never picked up to the point where they could hope to challenge. In an exact replica of Game 1, they continually built mini runs to bring the score back to a manageable level, only to lose their focus for a split second and have the lead balloon back out. Damian Martin was the key in defence for the Wildcats, but it was a whole team effort on that side of the court, while Wagstaff, Cotton and Prather continued to lead the offensive assault. It was a disappointing way for Worthington to finish his NBL career - one of the most decorated in history - but they simply couldn't get it done, with the Wildcats going to yet another grand final. The Wildcats will now go on to take on either the Adelaide 36ers or Illawarra Hawks in the grand final series, starting next Monday. Match Statistics Field Goals: Wildcats (24/61 @ 39%), Taipans (21/68 @ 30%) Three points: Wildcats (9/32 @ 28%), Taipans (7/24 @ 29%) Free throws: Wildcats (17/19 @ 89%), Taipans (17/17 @ 100%) Rebounds: Wildcats (40), Taipans (41) Assists: Wildcats (16), Taipans (14) Steals: Wildcats (8), Taipans (9) Blocks: Wildcats (3), Taipans (1) Turnovers: Wildcats (13), Taipans (13) Points in the paint: Wildcats (18), Taipans (22) Second chance points: Wildcats (6), Taipans (11) Points off turnovers: Wildcats (9), Taipans (8) Stats Leaders Perth Wildcats Points: Casey Prather (24), Jesse Wagstaff (20), Matty Knight (12) Reboudns: Casey Prather (10), Jameel McKay (6), Bryce Cotton (5) Assists: Bryce Cotton, Casey Prather (4), Damian Martin (3) Cairns Taipans Points: Travis Trice (22), Tony Mitchell (17), Nnanna Egwu (9) Rebounds: Cameron Gliddon (8), Mitch McCarron (6), Nnanna Egwu (5) Assists: Travis Trice (5), Cameron Gliddon (4) Final Score Perth Wildcats 74 Cairns Taipans 66
Damo
Guest
Pretty much went to script for Perth. Tellingly you can shut down Perth for 4-5mins offensively but in the same time they won't let you score more than 4-6. You'd think Ade via Randle is the one team that can burn them in that way but we'll see what happens on Thursday. 8 days ago Perth were 2 points away from elimination. They just know how to win.
Scott Pryde
Expert
What a show of respect for Worthington. Bit of a chant of 'Wortho' from the crowd while the rest of the Wildcats form a guard of honour for him to leave the court.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roarers, thoughts on the game? Full wrap to come shortly.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Perth just dribble this out. The buzzer goes and the players immediately flock into show Mark Worthington some appreciation after one of the greatest careers in NBL history. 335 games in an outstanding career. Shawn Redhage keeps his career going though, and for the Perth Wildcats it's another visit to the grand final. The Adelaide 36ers or Illawarra Hawks await them next Monday for Game 1. Perth Wildcats - 74 Cairns Taipans - 66
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' That just about sums it up for Cairns. Trice goes down the floor, knocks over Knight and is called for the charge. Perth are off to the grand final, and the players know it now. Matty Knight happy to high five. Wildcats - 74 Taipans - 66
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Prather makes both. Wildcats - 74 Taipans - 66
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Tony Mitchell sinks a three with 18 seconds on the clock before they quickly foul Prather. 16 seconds to go and he will go to the strike. Wildcats - 72 Taipans - 66
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Bryce Cotton makes both. That's going to do it. Perth will go to the grand final, and Mark Worthington is almost certainly playing in his last game. Wildcats - 72 Taipans - 63
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Lovely move from Trice as he makes the lay up, then gets barged to ground before the inbound. No call coming and there is a foul down the floor as Cotton drives. 27 seconds to go and a bit of push and shove as the teams come together. Wildcats - 70 Taipans - 63
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Prather makes both. 9 point game. Wildcats - 70 Taipans - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Time running out for the Taipans. Trice a missed three and they look to apply the pressure up the court, but they eventually work through and Wagstaff has to fire a three. Prather gets the long rebound and is fouled by Egwu with 41 seconds to play. Long way back for the Taipans now. Wildcats - 68 Taipans - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Wildcats with it and Wagstaff goes to Cotton, back to Wagstaff and he misses. Offensive board by McKay and that's huge. Shot clock winds down and Cotton makes the big lay up. Wildcats - 68 Taipans - 61