Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings NBL Round 10 Game Preview

Nov 28, 2024

2 min read

Tip-off is at 7:30pm on Friday 29th November at Cairns Convention Centre

Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings Expert Analysis

The Sydney Kings take on the struggling Cairns Taipans in Round 10, with both teams needing to prove something. Sydney, the league's second-best defensive team, looks to bounce back after a rare loss, while Cairns is desperate to snap an eight-game losing streak. Their first meeting this season ended in a dominant 26-point win for Sydney, and the Kings will aim to repeat that success.

Key Matchups

Defence vs Turnovers: Sydney thrives on forcing turnovers (13.5 per game) and converting them into points. Cairns, on the other hand, averages a league-high 13.7 turnovers per game, which could spell trouble.
Bench Units: Sydney's bench contribute the most points per game of any team in the league with 30.7 per game while Cairns' bench rank 9th with 20.2 per game.
Big Men Battle: Cairns' bigs will need to stand up against Sydney’s league-leading rebounding.

Key Stats

Sydney allows just 82.6 points per game (2nd in the NBL).
Cairns has averaged only 78.3 points against top 5 defensive teams this season.
The Kings' bench contributes 37.2 points per game, the highest in the league.
Sydney has won 3 of the last 4 meetings with Cairns.

Why Sydney Wins

The Kings’ defence is elite, holding teams to league-lowest shooting percentages while forcing turnovers and capitalising with points off those mistakes. Their deep bench and strong rebounding further solidify their edge over a struggling Cairns side.

Why Cairns Wins

If the Taipans can limit turnovers and rediscover their offensive flow, they have the tools to push the Kings. Taran Armstrong’s playmaking could be key, and a breakout performance from Tanner Groves or Rob Edwards could give them a fighting chance.

Conclusion

Sydney enters as clear favourites, boasting one of the league’s most balanced defensive units. Cairns will need to overcome significant form and consistency issues to avoid another blowout. With Sydney's depth and turnover pressure, the Kings are primed to take control and secure a much-needed win.