IN TONIGHT’s exciting round seven matchup, the Brisbane Bullets will host the Cairns Taipans in an action packed Queensland derby. Both clubs will be eager to win the game not just for bragging rights, but to get a win on the board as the two teams are sitting in the bottom half of the ladder with Cairns sitting at the bottom and Brisbane in seventh place. 

The Taipans have not won a game since beating the Sydney Kings in September, which was won after  securing a victory against the Bullets in their first derby game 83-82. As of today, they are currently on a six game losing streak, and to make things worse million dollar man Jack McVeigh has missed the past three games and is questionable for tonight, struggling with a wrist injury.

As said by Cairns coach Adam Forde, if McVeigh can survive training then he could possibly suit up for the derby. With such an important player questionable to play, the Taipans can’t be dependent on the idea of him suiting up, and they will need someone who can step in to fill that void, which they haven’t had.

Andrew Andrews has been playing well at the point guard position, whilst being inconsistent he has had some solid games and is needed within the squad. Admiral Schofield has also been consistently good, playing his role as a ‘three and D’ player.

On Wednesday, Mojave King was brought back to Cairns to replace Alex Higgins-Titsha, who has gone down with a wrist injury and is most likely going to be out for the rest of the season. If King is cleared to play tonight, then he will be paired up with Schofield in the forward spot, which on paper sounds good, but we will have to see it to believe it.

If McVeigh is cleared to play tonight then Cairns will be able to put up a strong fight, but if not then the Taipans may still struggle with their inability to score the ball consistently. Marcus Lee has been a crucial paint presence, but the big man has found himself in a lot of foul trouble, with his past two games being fouled out. Now facing Tyrell Harrison, one of the premier bigs in the competition, Lee may find himself once again in limited minutes which could be Cairns’ downfall.

Brisbane are coming off a 109-86 SEM Phoenix loss, with the game being close up until the third quarter, which cost the Bullets the game as they allowed the Phoenix to score 37 points compared to their 22. Casey Prather struggled, scoring 18 but shooting 37 per cent from the field and committing five turnovers.

In the first derby on September 26, Cairns won by a point, so Brisbane will be eager to get its revenge and take their bragging rights from it to be the best in the state. Javon Freeman-Liberty was crucial in that first game, having a 21-point, seven-rebound, and five-assist performance, being an incredible all rounder.

Freeman-Liberty was released due to personal reasons, so there is a hole in the offense that is yet to be filled. If Brisbane are able to get Lee into foul trouble, Cairns do not have another true center who can protect the rim, and Harrison and Prather will be able to take advantage of that, both being strong paint scorers.

If McVeigh is fit enough to suit up and play up to standard, and Lee stays out of foul trouble then don’t be surprised if Cairns are able to sneak in a win, but if things go Brisbane’s way, then these are factors that the Bullets will be able to take full advantage of, and potentially grab a convincing win.