Isaac
Years ago
Thoughts on this series? Perth have the HCA and experience, but Cairns have an excellent import trio. What's the best strategy for each team?
Santamaria has picked Steindl and Deng as X-factors for each team.
Michael Crumpler
Years ago
Cairns by 3 points. Should be a great match.
Perth to LIKELY win the whole championship though if I am honest.
Senator11
Years ago
Gleeson said something along the lines of this on the radio, our players going into finals is like kids opening their presents on Christmas day.
Cairns to be overwhelmed and make a lot of unforced untypical errors, especially in Perth.
Another Anon
Years ago
Expecting this to go along with HCA. Perth to win both at home comfortably.
Perth are too experienced, and Cairns too loose with the ball... Perth in 2
Perth will lift another gear they usually do.
Perth 2-0.
Camel 31
Years ago
Watching the last two Cairns games. I think they lost to Melbourne by 16 and Brisbane by 36.
It's hard to think on them coming back from there to win.
Plumlee about to be a problem these playoffs.
How many pick and rolls have we see him set for Cotton since his break out game? NONE.
Gleeson's up to something, and Miles is about to unleash some smoke the Tapians won't want.
I hope it's a close series for entertainment value, and as a Perth fan, I won't be dissapointed if Cairns some how win the series. They are the people's team.
But I can't help but feel the Wildcats will be a different beast on Friday.
Jack Toft
Years ago
I think this will be an exciting series.
The first game is obviously the key. Cairns have won in Perth this season and will look to repeat that effort first up. They should be able to get a W at home.
Perth like to keep the tempo slow and easy at home so if they can control the game speed, frustrate the fast breaks, then they should be able to get game 1.
On Cairns last two games you can't see them troubling Perth. Sport can turn around very quickly but I think Perth in two quite comfortably. I’d like to see Cairns win but don’t give them much chance.
LoveBroker
Years ago
Cairns don't fear playing in Perth.
Cairns have the edge on the import trio battle because there is a form and fitness cloud around White, and Plumlee has only moved the needle slightly since his arrival.
Then Perth have the edge with the rest of the squad.
Cairns' remnants of Djeric, Krslovic, Kenny, Jawai and Deng are likely outclassed by Martin, Norton, Wagstaff, Steindl, and Kay.
"Cairns have won in Perth this season"
"Cairns don't fear playing in Perth."
Why do people always point to a result like this as if it trumps any other factor? I'll take Perth's form, and the fact they are heading into the finals with the league's best offence and defence over a round 3 upset.
Troppo
Years ago
Whilst I agree that Deng will be an X factor for the Taipans I think that it will be much more important how long Jawai can stay on the court for and remain effective against Plumlee .
finals experience may be the deciding factor if it goes 3 games .
Cairns are going to shock the world and win in 2. They are the best balanced team the most potent at both ends.
Troppo
Years ago
Will Noi be able to reproduce his early season form ?
Brad.
Years ago
Too many on the Taipans bandwagon.
They did well making playoffs be happy with that.
D2.0
Years ago
It's NBL so anything can and will happen, but if forced to place a bet money has to be on Perth to win the lot.
Again going with the odds, mostly likely scenario for this series is that Perth will smash them in game one, and then Cairns will put up a credible fight but lose game 2 at home.
And the X-factor is White. If both he and Cotton fire, Cairns will be unable to stop both.
Given the quick turnaround between game 1 & 2, will the extra flight Cairns have taken hurt them?
X ball
Years ago
Kenny, Deng. Machado will be nullified leaving all the others to shoot wildly and fall into a heap - that would be the scene.
Djeric will see a bit of daylight but won't burn any holes in the defence after one or two good ones.
As the night wears on, the cats juniors will be thrown in to get into the tired taipans - this is the way it will be played.
The bookies are in for a big loss in Perth
LV
Years ago
Machado and Newbill are seasoned pros. Deng went to the GF with Adelaide and had some big games.
Cairns will be competitive and might take game 2.
But I see Perth doing what they usually do- stepping up at this time of year. They'll win their home games comfortably off the back of great basketball and generous reffing. May even win in Cairns, that'll be the best game of this series.
UseTaHoop
Years ago
Steindl unlikely to be an X factor, imho. But it's playoff in Perth.
X factors could be Deng and Jawai.
If Deng goes off, and Jawai can battle few fouls out of Plumlee, Cairns have a chance.
Too many ifs though, the smart money should be on Perth.
"and generous reffing."
Time for a new routine, LV.
I'm reading zero in to the last round. We couldn't finish 2nd or 4th, had zero to play for, and the main guys were in cruise mode away against teams fighting to play finals.
Our record in Perth feels pretty good, and that 23-point belting earlier in the season is something for both teams to look back on.
But
Perth are a settled, experienced team with unreal depth. They are still my favourites to win the lot. It's always harder to score in playoff mode, and if we are as loose with the ball as we have been at various parts of the season Perth will murder us.
My hope is we push it to 3 games, but my expectation is sadly Perth in 2.
"We couldn't finish 2nd or 4th, had zero to play for"
Cairns could have finished 2nd if they'd won their last two, and Perth dropped their game to the Sixers. Losing by 16 in a "must win" game with three imports playing 30+ minutes isn't ideal leading into the finals.
Perth dropped their game to the Sixers
Lol
The "must win" was the week before in Adelaide, and we hosed them (by playing well, and Adelaide had already quit for the year).
I get momentum in to the finals is a good thing, and it's a nice narrative the we were suddenly "found out" in the last weekend of a four and a half month season. But I'm not reading anything in to it.
If we lose both games this weekend, I'm not looking back at that last round as a marker, I'm just giving Perth the props for being a bloody good team.
No I don't think you were found out but there was a chance to get 2nd, the team treated it as any other game, and they got smashed.
the last part of your message is certainly true, we did get absolutely hosed, in both those last games.
We were in the Melbourne one until halfway through the last quarter, when the team switched off, and let Trimble of all people get in to us. That was annoying. We may as well have sent the Marlins to Brisbane for all the effort that was put in.
It could be i am a touch blase about all this because it's just nice to have a competitive team playing finals again. And we're fun to watch. The Aaron Fearne 75 beats 73 years were tough.
Troppo
Years ago
I agree we here in Cairns are happy to have a team still in the hunt at this stage of the year. The fact that we are seeing exciting play and high scores makes for an unexpected good year . I would like to think we can get game 2 at home and have a free swing in Perth next Thursday .
Whilst 13000 fans will certainly make some noise on Friday night I reckon the convention center will be pretty feral on Sunday afternoon .
I hope Gleeson has his angry pants on .
Gleeson always has his angry pants on when coaching, it's a hallmark.
Senator11
Years ago
Angry unshaven homeless-looking Gleeson coming up for the finals stretch.
Troppo
Years ago
I can assure you that Gleeson is by no means the worst behaved coach in the NBL .
Looking forward to the games .
Word is Deng has been sick all week so he'll be around 7 - 10 bench minutes at best.
D2.0
Years ago
There has always been the element of unpredictability about Steindl. But he is playing with a lot more confidence. Even when he goes MIA early, Gleeson has backed him in to keep shooting, and he's come good.
We just need either of him or White to fire up.
Hope Gleeson's wearing his extra-snug polo again.
Bear
Years ago
Looking forward to the whole finals series to be honest, hope that the Taipans can get up tonight a throw an almighty spanner in the works, this should be fun.
Looking for some more impact from the bigs, let's face it Wildcats have an edge since getting Plumblee, so if Cairns can limit his impact it may come down to a shoot-out...
Go Orange!!
Perthworld
Years ago
There's no time for that right now with all the juicy news coming out of Adelaide and the official announcement of Tasmania. They may need to postpone the game.
Eagle
Years ago
Wildcats will smash Cairns in straight sets, way too much fire power and depth, 13000 red army will be roaring after a 20pt win tonight!!!
I noticed that the games are on both SBS viceland HD and ESPN HD
Which one is better quality?
koberulz
Years ago
Viceland is higher resolution. Not sure about bitrate.
LV
Years ago
Cotton getting Cotton calls.... that didn't take long!
LV
Years ago
Next play they invent a call on Machado
Usually the refs wait until 2nd half to really lend the Cats a helping hand. Not tonight.... playoff special!
George
Years ago
Did I hear commentators say Martin is 1 from 20 field goals in the last 7 games?
Wow! Definition of a passenger
LV
Years ago
This is some of the best basketball I've seen this season from the Taipans
Refs doing their best to keep Perth in it, with that goal tend on Oliver, but no mistakes about it, Cairns are dominating. Get on the bandwagon!!
Long way to go but Kelly looks like genius. His players are so well drilled at both ends. Never seen Jawai in better form.
Come on Cairns, I see it but i don't believe it.
Another Anon
Years ago
Cairns at nearly 70% from the field is absolutely bonkers.
Like the commentary team, hope Gaze stays in commentary.
Lv the hate in you is strong! Cairns has slowed cotton by literally wrapping him up, if you want to bitch go both ways, also gave newbill a 3 for a clear 2...perth need to score, cairns in transition is a loss waiting to happen, cairns also can't bloody miss, machados 3, then the turnaround at the end... fml.
Still think perth is getting the calls lv, bloody joke
LV
Years ago
Gleeson and Plumlee and the Red Army
Ahhh, you have to kind of love the tribalism. It's cute and pathetic, but it brings energy into our great sport
Refs called a foul on cairns, when terrico finally hits a 3, cheers...
Perth Wilburs
Years ago
Wildcats really need to replace Plumlee and White for next season.
AngusH
Years ago
It dropped, but that was not a good shot from Machado. Still 5-6 seconds left on the shot clock, gave Perth more than enough time to get it down and get a good look.
Another Anon
Years ago
Martin might be 1/20 in the last 7 games but he's got Machado hiding at the half way line
LV
Years ago
From end to end, how many times was Machado fouled on that last play? 3? 4?
As comically bad as thosetwo misses were, that was a breakaway foul, its finals call the game, we don't need highlights
LV
Years ago
The hate is strong but so is the respect....Gritty effort by Perth to get this lead back
These are the two toughest teams
Machado getting wacked from both sides no call. White and Cotton kick out legs foul every time.
LV
Years ago
Such an anti climax when they waste time reviewing obvious calls
After the one djeric got. Also how is that not a usf???
Perthworld
Years ago
What's this boomerang play Gleeson is mentioning?
LV
Years ago
Best NBL playoff game I can remember
Foul trouble looming for Cairns, 4 of the starters on 3+ fouls including Newbill on 4
AngusH
Years ago
Not sure why Krslovic was playing minutes in crunch time tbh.
Perthworld
Years ago
Well he hit that one long field goal. Although Wagstaff not bothering putting his hands up earlier contributed to it.
LV
Years ago
Machado gets mugged, no call
Cotton hits a 3 next play, Perth in box seat now
#SeeIncredible
#HomeCooking
LV
Years ago
Cotton and Machado showing why they're #1 and #2
Oliver's work in the air has been huge
If rest of playoffs are anything close to this, we're in for a treat
Another Anon
Years ago
Can't remember a better finals game than this in recent memory
Cairns a little unlucky, Kay massive with Cotton. Kay proving cheap for his 400g a season.
AngusH
Years ago
Pretty great game. Cotton will get all the credit, but Kay and Wagstaff were the big difference makers.
Cairns to win @ home I think, and then hopefully an epic game 3 back in Perth.
Perth win because refs can't make a proper goal tending call. Just not good enough. Everyone could see that the ball was blocked into the backboard
Perthworld
Years ago
United to shock Sydney tomorrow for the double. Let's get greedy.
Luuuc
Years ago
2 teams trading huge plays. You shouldn't be able to play as well as Cairns just did and still come up short. Did they forget to foul at the end? Seemed like they took forever. Might have been the only difference.
Dave Q
Years ago
Said it before, say it again. Bryce Cotton is an alien. What a game. Both teams on fire, cigarette paper between them.
koberulz
Years ago
Between not fouling and jogging the ball up they wasted about 20 seconds at the end there. Failed to get a good look at the end of regulation too.
Craziest scorecard you will see. Cairns 17 turnovers to 3!!! 16 less fga, shooting % out of this world. 1pt win in OT. Insane.
Kobeisdead said "Between not fouling and jogging the ball up they wasted about 20 seconds at the end there. Failed to get a good look at the end of regulation too."
Where do you coach?
D2.0
Years ago
What we saw tonight was always a possibility.
Full credit to Cairns and Kelly, they weren't over-awed, and definitely came to win. Probably should have, and yes that's a worrying sign for Perth.
This is what we have seen from Perth for most of the season, good but not great, relying on Cotton to save their bacon. Sadly their was no "finals step-up."
Plums had another average game, and Jook was next to useless. So once again we're stuck with running Kay and Wagstaff in the front court.
Neither Steindl or White fired up.
I suppose that the good news is that all that happened, and we still snuck a win.
But things need to change for game two
As well as doing usual Nick Kay things he also went Terrico on them. 23 points, 9 boards, 3 steals, 6 assists, clutch at the stripe, and 5/6 from outside the arc. Most nights doing that in a semi final would be headline worthy.
#904
Punters don't even have him in their Olympic team, should be in the first five picked. Kay was fantastic.
That game would have expended so much energy! Great game! Hopefully they didn't all have to catch the red eye to Cairns last night!
Both teams would travel via Alice Springs today I'd expect.
"Probably should have, and yes that's a worrying sign for Perth."
Surely it's a good sign that Perth still got the W even with Cairns shooting the lights out? I can't see them shooting 60% again.
Twinkletoes
Years ago
That game would have expended so much energy! Great game! Hopefully they didn't all have to catch the red eye to Cairns last night!
Both teams would travel via Alice Springs today I'd expect.
Perthworld
Years ago
The current Perth-Cairns direct flight with Jetstar is also a red eye which takes off just after midnight. Unfortunately there is no easy way at a reasonable departure time to get between the two cities from Perth.
Cats for life
Years ago
Going via brisbane, one day break is not enough for both team's. Last night was epic.
No team deserved to lose that one they went blow for blow.
Cotton should be in the nba. If he were 6 foot 1 or 2 he would be in the nba
GAME 2
Love the quick turnaround between games.
Can Perth close it out?
Will Cairns do it for their fans?
Can Cairns continue their hot shooting?
Will Cotton be able to play the full 40 minutes again? will he need to?
Will Norton make a lay up?
Luuuc
Years ago
I'm not a fan of the quick turnaround. Not when there's this much travel involved.
The standard of game 1 was extraordinary. This scheduling doesn't give game 2 the same chance IMO.
Perth Wilburs
Years ago
Best of three series should be Game 1 Friday night, Game 2 Friday night, Game 3 Sunday Afternoon.
The other semi to follow a Saturday, Saturday, Monday pattern.
Perthworld
Years ago
The problem is the NBL are keen to get the playoffs over and done with.
If Kings win their series in two games the GF series starts next weekend as per the club e-mail. With PER-CNS G3 on Thursday the GF series has to start on Sunday.
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