Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans NBL Round 13 Game Preview

Tip-off is at 7:30 pm AEDT on Friday 20th December at Cairns Convention Centre

Brisbane Bullets vs Cairns Taipans Expert Analysis

The Brisbane Bullets will host the Cairns Taipans in Round 13, with the Taipans desperately searching for a way to break their 12-game losing streak. Brisbane, coming off a loss to the Sydney Kings, will look to rebound strongly and take advantage of Cairns’ struggles under the rim and lack of form.

For the Taipans, the return of Sam Waardenburg will certainly help their efforts in containing Brisbane's dominant interior with Tyrell Harrison at the forefront of the Bullets attack. With Brisbane’s offensive efficiency and Cairns’ defensive vulnerabilities, this could be another tough outing for the northerners.

Key Matchups

Tyrell Harrison vs. Cairns’ Interior Defence

Harrison, the league’s top offensive rebounder, has been a force under the basket, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game. Cairns, the worst defensive rebounding team in the league, will struggle to contain him, even with Waardenburg back in the line up. Look for Harrison to notch another double-double as Brisbane capitalises on second-chance opportunities.

Cairns’ Offence vs. Brisbane’s Defence

While Brisbane’s defence ranks last in the league, allowing 96.1 points per game, Cairns’ offence hasn’t been able to capitalise on such opportunities, ranking second-last in scoring with 83.8 points per game. For Cairns to stay competitive, their shooters will need to find form, but their inconsistency makes this a tall order.

Key Stats

• Rebounding Dominance: Brisbane allows the second-fewest rebounds per game, while Cairns concedes the most second-chance points.

• Recent Form: Brisbane has won three of the last four matchups against Cairns, covering the spread in all three wins.

• Cairns’ Struggles: The Taipans have lost their last 12 games, with six of those losses by double digits.

• Scoring Efficiency: Brisbane ranks second in FG% (47.8%) and leads the league in three-point shooting (39.3%).

Why Brisbane Wins

Brisbane’s strength in rebounding and efficient scoring makes them clear favourites. Tyrell Harrison’s dominance on the boards, combined with Brisbane’s superior shooting, will create too many issues for a depleted Cairns team to overcome.

Why Cairns Wins

If Cairns can find a way to lock down defensively and regain their focus, they could exploit Brisbane’s weak defence. A strong shooting night combined with disciplined play might give them a chance to end their losing streak.

Prediction

Cairns’ ongoing issues, particularly in rebounding and defence, make it hard to envision a scenario where they overcome Brisbane’s strengths. Expect the Bullets to control the tempo, dominate the boards, and cruise to a comfortable win. Expected totals Brisbane 101-88 Cairns.