Aaron Fearne wants Cairns Taipans fans’ help to bring playoffs basketball back to town.

The Skytrans Cairns Taipans’ head coach needs at least two more wins from the club’s remaining three matches to reach the NBL playoffs, and says a full Cairns Convention Centre will help to realise that goal.

“Opposition players and teams know that this has always been an intimidating venue. I know they all talk about how our crowd fires up and gets very hostile and emotional,” Fearne said.

“It gets loud in that stadium, which gives a massive confidence boost to the guys and it’s also a big momentum runner – it keeps you flowing within the game,” he said.

Cairns Convention Centre crowds have averaged more than 4,200 people per game as the Taipans recorded a 5-7 home record so far this season.

But with the team having won three of its past four home games and sitting within arm’s reach of a playoffs spot, Fearne wants to end the season on a high.

“Having a full stadium in there is fantastic. In the last few years in particular I know locals have some pretty great memories of some fantastic games in there,” he said.

“People talk about those games all week and it definitely gives the city some life.

“Hopefully we can play well in these last three games to bring some playoff basketball back to Cairns,” he said.

Despite a slow start this season, Fearne believes the Snakes are playing just as well as his 2011 Taipans grand finalist team did during its race to finish in the top-four.

The Snakes have played a series of close games, their past eight having been decided by an average of just 3.13 points.

“It’s a little similar to the year we did make the NBL finals … we were pretty much playing playoff-type basketball five or six games out from the end of the regular season,” Fearne said.

“You’re fully aware of the importance of each game, and hopefully for these last two home games we can pack out the Convention Centre with a massive crowd to help get us across the line.”

The Skytrans Cairns Taipans host the Adelaide 36ers this Friday at the Cairns Convention Centre, tipping off at 7.30pm.

Tickets available online, via phone (07) 4041 3000 or at Taipans Ticketing, 289 Aumuller St.