ALTHOUGH the two sides are well-separated on the National Basketball League (NBL) ladder, the Cairns Taipans will be still optimistic that they will be able to upset Melbourne United on the eve of finals to kick off Round 21.

The Taipans have already been ruled out of the postseason action having not performed well enough throughout their 2025/26 campaign, but have been more than capable of stringing together some wins of late and will be looking to end the season on a positive note in the coming weeks.

In their path tonight are the finals bound United, who will be eager to get the job done on the road and remain in the hunt for a top-four position come season’s end. With plenty to play for, Melbourne should be good enough tonight, although stranger things have happened.

Cairns Taipans vs. Melbourne United

Cairns Convention Centre
Thursday, February 12 @ 7:30pm

The Taipans have been unable to compete for a finals spot this season, having been eliminated from playoff contention weeks in advance and are still yet to reach double-digit in the wins column despite showing so much promise with their recruiting coming into the season.

Despite coming into the clash in ninth spot, Cairns will be bullish on its chances to defeat United tonight, boasting home court advantage, which is where the Taipans have found some form throughout the season. Coming off an impressive win over the Brisbane Bullets, the home side will fancy themselves for an upset tonight.

There is no one more integral to Cairns’ success than Jack McVeigh, and the superstar forward has shown more of what he is capable of in the back half of the season. Pushing for All-NBL First Team selection, the star signing has been strong despite limited team success, and with a ceiling as high as anyone’s on the scoring front, expect him to look aggressive tonight.

With the top portion of the standings proving an extremely even playing field, tonight’s matchup is quietly crucial for United. Currently occupying fifth spot on the ladder, they are engaged in an enthralling battle for fourth position with the Perth Wildcats, so a win up north tonight is vital for remaining competitive on that front.

It has been a rollercoaster of a season for United, with Melbourne starting the season with nine wins from nine games, before suffering a form slump and although the visitors have steadied over the past month, they enter this match on a two-game losing streak and will need to bounce back.

Big man Jesse Edwards and guard Milton Doyle were two of Melbourne’s most important off-season moves prior to the 2025/26 fixture, and remain vital to the team’s championship quest. If the duo can find a rhythm in enemy territory tonight, it will undoubtedly give United a massive boost and may just be the key to victory at the Cairns Convention Centre in a huge game on Melbourne’s calendar.