Last Friday night I went to the Cairns Convention Centre in anticipation of a huge win by the Taipans.

Up till the four minute mark in the first quarter my instincts were correct as the Snakes were looking the goods and the travelling Hawks were floundering in front of the 4900 strong crowd.

But alas, our team seemed to loose all cohesion in both the offensive and defensive end of the court.

Was it the thought in the back of the minds of the players that they are near unbeatable on their home court? Was it just a bad night? Or was it a mistake to not play our tallest and strongest player, Ian Crosswhite?

Congrats must be given to the Hawks who stuck to a tried and successful game structure for the with some great perimetere shooting (10 from 20 and overall at 46%), albeit through some very slack defence by the home team.

Brad Hill was the main scoring contributor with 19 and 7 boards while Dusty had 12 and 5. The two import combined to post only 13 points, a far cry from what is expected and required from them.

In all this was a lack luster game that scaled to no real heights, a game that may just come back to haunt the Snakes later on in the season.

The Hawks snuck home 69 - 64.

This week see the Snakes travel down to Melbourne to take on the Tigers who are in great form, and this game will give us an indication as to the spirit and determination the team has.

The Tigers are unbeaten at home and with Patty Mills leading the league in scoring percentages, the Snakes have a mammoth task in recording a victory.

Last week, and in stark contrast to how the Taipans played, I started off woefully dropping the first two. And who would have thought both Cairns and Perth could be beaten at home on the same night?

This week sees only four games making up Round 5.

Ladder leading Breakers play host to cellar dwellers Adelaide and will win this in a canter, even though the 36ers beat Perth away last week.
Sydney host Melbourne in the closest game of the round - Tigers by a handfull.
Perth will not lose two games at home in a row and will easily account for the Hawks
And I hate to say but the Tigers at home will hand the Snakes a basketball lesson.

The next Taipans home game is next Sunday 13 November so get in early for your tickets.

Catch you on the rebound.
 
Double Oh

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