Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans NBL Game Preview

Adelaide 36ers vs Cairns Taipans Expert Analysis

The Adelaide 36ers look to extend their dominance at home as they aim for their ninth consecutive win at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, facing an undermanned Cairns Taipans squad. Adelaide’s imposing size, led by Montrezl Harrell and Jarrell Martin, will be the key against a struggling Taipans team, missing key players like Taran Armstrong and Tanner Groves.

Key Matchups

Montrezl Harrell & Isaac Humphries (ADE) vs. Cairns Frontcourt: Harrell has been a beast in the paint, and with Humphries by his side, Adelaide's size advantage could overwhelm the Taipans. Cairns, already lacking depth, will struggle to match Adelaide's physicality inside, especially with Groves sidelined.

Kendrick Davis (ADE) vs. Cairns Defence: Davis has been a standout offensively for Adelaide, averaging 19.6 points per game and shooting 36.8% from three. Without Armstrong to counter Davis' speed and scoring ability, Cairns will need to find a way to limit his impact.

Key Stats

Adelaide 36ers:

• Have won 8 straight games at home.

• Rank 2nd in the NBL with 42.9 points in the paint per game.

• Montrezl Harrell has scored a double-double in 4 of 7 matches this season, averaging 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Cairns Taipans:

• Have lost by an average margin of 13.66 points over their last three games.

• Rank 9th in bench scoring with just 18.9 points per game, while allowing a league-worst 31.3 bench points per game.

• Ranked 8th in the league, allowing 44.3 points in the paint per game.

Why Adelaide Wins

Adelaide’s size and strength, particularly with Harrell and Humphries controlling the paint, will be too much for the Taipans to handle. Harrell has been dominant, and with Adelaide playing only one game this week, he’s expected to deliver another double-double. The 36ers' deep roster, solid bench, and defensive intensity give them a significant edge over an undermanned Cairns team.

Why Cairns Wins

If Cairns can make their shots from long range and get a surprise performance from their supporting cast, they could make this a contest. The absence of Armstrong has left a void, but players like Rob Edwards and Pedro Bradshaw will need to step up. Cairns will also need to disrupt Adelaide’s rhythm by pushing the pace and forcing turnovers.

Adelaide are heavy favourites heading into this match, especially with their size advantage and current form. Cairns’ injuries and depth issues will make it difficult to keep up with the 36ers, particularly down low. Expect Adelaide to win comfortably, with Harrell leading the charge once again.