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Melbourne United vs Cairns Taipans |
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2017/18 NBL Season, November 2, 2017 |
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Hisense Arena, Melbourne, VIC | ||
Melbourne United | Cairns Taipans | |
87 | SCORE | 65 |
31 | Q1 | 23 |
17 | Q2 | 13 |
21 | Q3 | 16 |
18 | Q4 | 13 |
An underperforming Melbourne United will look to turn their NBL season around with an important home game against the inconsistent, but still dangerous Cairns Taipans. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Melbourne might have come into the season as favourites, but some key injuries, a stack of road games and a trip to the USA seems to be messing with them.
A roster with Chris Goulding, Casey Prather and Casper Ware – who on paper at least form the strongest backcourt combination in the competition – shouldn’t be sitting with a record of two and three from their five games.
This is only their second home game of the season though, and they have suffered some close losses, including last time out on the Gold Coast when they fell to the Brisbane Bullets by just two points.
Other close losses have occurred against the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers, both of which are not each places to travel.
United will need rapid improvement though, and it has to start on their home floor against a Cairns side who they should soundly beat. Falling too far behind an even win-loss record in this competition is a catalyst for disaster and will put alot of pressure on them over what is shaping as a difficult back half of the season.
The Taipans, on the other hand, have been up and down. Their last start loss at home to the Adelaide 36ers was a tough pill to swallow, but a win against the Wildcats the weekend before – especially by 21 points – was both unexpected and fantastic for the northern Queensland-based club.
That performance sets the bar. Last season, it was their defence which was the starring light for the Taipans, and while they have lost Mark Worthington who led them in that field, it’s been up and down this season.
Against the Wildcats, they were restrictive, with Perth scoring just 69 points and if they want to challenge Melbourne with their offensive firepower, they will have to play at a similar level.
Prediction
It’s hard to tip against United with their stacked roster at home, no matter what their form has been like. Cairns will keep it close, relying on their defence, but United have too many weapons and will win down the stretch.
United by 7.
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