FOUR NBL teams including cellar dwellers Cairns Taipans will play double-up games to close out the 2024 portion of the 2024/25 season. Round 14 tips off tonight with a game per match across the next five days, before a double-header on New Year’s Eve caps off a remarkable start to the year.

The Taipans begin their Round 14 by taking on second placed Melbourne United, before playing a bottom two clash against New Zealand Breakers on New Years Eve. We preview the contest between the Snakes and United.

Cairns Taipans vs. Melbourne United

Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm AEDT

While finals looks done and dusted for the Taipans barring a ridiculous turnaround and unbeaten streak to the end, they will look to put a dent in United’s top two chances with an upset at home tonight. The Taipans have lost 13 in a row after starting the season brightly at 3-1, though United have also hit a rough patch with four straight losses and are now 12-8 after surrendering top spot to the Hawks. They can temporarily take it back with a win, having smashed the Taipans by 43 points last time the sides played.

Chris Goulding has been in brilliant form of late, with the veteran electric from the three-point line including four of nine in his last match out against Tasmania JackJumpers earlier this week. The visitors have such a well-balanced lineup, and the Taipans will need to guard the points in the paint, while also perimeter defending well.

The Taipans edged closer to a victory against Brisbane Bullets on December 20, galling three points short of Brisbane Bullets, with Rob Edwards and Pedro Bradshaw combining for 8/17 from long-range, as well as 49 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Adam Forde’s side will be looking for more support across the board, having struggled with injury issues this season.

Though many ways that United can exploit the Taipans, Cairns struggles off the boards, ranking 10th for rebounds conceded, while United is third in the league for grabbing rebounds. However the number one threat for the Taipans will be in the assists, with United top of the league for finding dimes (21.6 per game) compared to Cairns who is dead last (15.6).

Taran Armstrong (five assists) and Tanner Groves (four) were the pick of the Snakes against the Bullets, but Cairns had just 13 for the match, which means without those two dishing off to Edwards and Bradshaw, the visiting side struggled for open looks even in a tight game. Armstrong in particular is the facilitator, picking up eight assists with 24 points in the Taipans’ last home game against the Wildcats, but that ended in a 36-point smashing as some guy called Bryce Cotton put up 44 points.

While Goulding is a crucial shooter for United, Melbourne has plenty of other options to share the load, with Ian Clark putting up consistent numbers in recent weeks. Fellow back court partner-in-crime Shea Ili is also prone to having a well-balanced game, while veteran guard Matthew Dellavedova applies pressure and can pass the rock with ease. If Jack White can find his best form, United is arguably the team to beat this season.

TIP = Melbourne United by 10 points