IN A matchup that has no shortage of star power, the Cairns Taipans will travel to South Australia to take on the Adelaide 36ers in a National Basketball League (NBL) matchup to begin Round 14 on Christmas Eve.

The two bookends of the standings will lock horns at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night, in a matchup that looks one-sided on paper. The Taipans occupy 10th spot on the ladder, having won just five games on the season, while the Sixers are at the top of the table and have been the best side of the 2025/26 fixture to date.

However, the Taipans have claimed some impressive wins in recent weeks, and look a much better side at times. Although Cairns lacks the consistency to be a true contender, the visitors certainly have the tools to cause an upset tonight.

Adelaide 36ers vs. Cairns Taipans

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Wednesday, December 24 @ 5:30pm

The Sixers have been simply terrific throughout the season to date, winning 15 of their 19 matches on the back of some dominant performances and gritty determination to get the job no matter the circumstances. Although the Sixers did suffer a loss at the hands of the Sydney Kings seven days ago, there is no doubt around their championship credentials.

Games such as tonight’s often loom as danger matchups for title contenders, with the opposition coming into the clash with nothing to lose. The Sixers will need to shut down the Taipans’ offensive weapons and get on top early to avoid giving the visitors any sort of momentum and balief.

All eyes will be on star guard and MVP favourite Bryce Cotton, who has a terrific record against the Taipans, averaging 38 a game across his six encounters with the NBL’s northernmost team. He dropped 53 against Cairns earlier in the season, and could deliver something similar tonight for an early Christmas present for Adelaide fans.

The Taipans had a rollercoaster of a weekend in Round 13, showing the highs and lows of the team recently. Cairns started the weekend in perfect fashion, recording its fifth win of the season over the New Zealand Breakers on Friday night at home to show that the Taipans are a much better side when they are healthier.

However, the table turned a couple of days later, when the Taipans were well and truly bested by the form team of the competition in the Sydney Kings. Although they came up against a formidable opponent, 42 points was a significant margin and sank the hearts of fans who just saw a gutsy win 48 hours earlier.

The biggest catalyst to Cairns’ success last Friday was Jack McVeigh, who exploded for 47 points against the Breakers in a career-best showing from one of the NBL’s stars. The Sixers will be likely relying on Cotton’s offensive production, so the Taipans will need to do the same with their own million-dollar man if they are to cause an upset.