Skytrans Cairns Taipans head coach Aaron Fearne says a 20-point win over Sydney last Friday will mean little if his side can’t defend its home court in Sunday’s rematch in Cairns.

The Kings have won their past two matches at the Cairns Convention Centre, a fact that Fearne and his troops are keenly aware of.

“They beat us here last year and the season before, so they’ll be confident they can beat us here on our floor,” Fearne said.

“If you’re in their shoes, there’s nothing better than to get a chance at another team a week later, so they’ll be fired up.”

Fearne said home court wins would be crucial to every team given the closeness of the 2012/13 iiNet NBL championship.

“The competition is so tight that if you can’t take care of your own court you’re not going to be where you want to be at the end of the year,” he said.

“We lost our last home game, so now we have to redeem ourselves. There will definitely be a lot of motivating factors for both sides.”

Taipans co-captain Alex Loughton admitted that hosting the Kings again so soon would make the visitors even more hungry for revenge.

“Last week we beat them in front of their home crowd, so there’s no doubt they’ll be keen to get us back here in Cairns on Sunday,” Loughton said.

“And so they should – you have to defend your home court.”

The Taipans and Kings tip off at 3pm at the Cairns Convention Centre. Tickets available at www.taipans.com.

The game also marks the Skytrans Cairns Taipans’ annual ‘Pink Game’ to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, education programs and support services.

Each player’s special edition pink singlet will be auctioned immediately after the final buzzer, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Council Queensland.