{"id":36609,"date":"2023-10-06T14:06:14","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T04:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=36609"},"modified":"2023-10-06T14:06:15","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T04:06:15","slug":"klintman-cracks-in-as-taipans-topple-phoenix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/klintman-cracks-in-as-taipans-topple-phoenix\/","title":{"rendered":"Klintman cracks in as Taipans topple Phoenix"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE Cairns Taipans<\/a> are on the winners’ list for the 2023\/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season, getting the better of the SEM Phoenix<\/a> at Cairns Convention Centre in the second of Thursday’s games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taipans came into the game with one loss from their only outing of the season to date, falling to the New Zealand Breakers<\/a> last weekend. On the other hand, the Phoenix had managed one win from two games during the previous round, producing a statement win over the Perth Wildcats<\/a> to close out last weekend’s action. Although the Taipans were just one win away from the Grand Final series last season, they brought in a different looking side to the current season, and were yet to prove themselves with a victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That all changed on Thursday night, as the home side took control of the match after the Phoenix were hindered by an eye injury to a star player. It was a back and forth contest to start the match, with both sides trading blows and exchanging the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, things went south for the Phoenix when Tyler Cook <\/strong>was forced off the court with a nasty injury, and Cairns took full advantage. Despite a late charge from South East Melbourne, the Taipans held on for a seven-point triumph and their first win of the regular season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there were a healthy spread of contributors for the victors, NBL Next Star Bobi Klintman <\/strong>was the standout, producing a mature performance off the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cairns Taipans (87) def. South East Melbourne Phoenix (80)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bobi Klintman – 15 points, 11 rebounds, one rebound, two steals, three blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It was an announcement performance from Klintman, who stormed onto the scene with the first double-double of his NBL career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Next Star cemented himself as one of the brightest prospects in the competition with an excellent and important performance off the bench. The Swedish-born talent was immense in a number of facets of the game, showcasing his versatile skillset and what he can bring to Cairns this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had 15 points for the match, all of which were important in getting the Taipans over the line. In the second quarter, he nailed a corner three, before ripping the ball away from the opposition and throwing down the dunk on the other end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a crucial point of the game that gave Cairns a fair scoreboard advantage, and took all of the wind out of South East Melbourne’s sails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klintman was a solid presence on the boards too, pulling down 11 for the match and using all 208cm of his height to get the reach over the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defensively, he was as impactful as anyone, swatting shots and disrupting ball-handlers in an encouraging sign for scouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the strongest performance of any Next Star over the first week of play, and appears an ominous warning to the remainder of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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