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Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers NBL26 Round 5 Tips - Taipans tipped to lack venom without McVeigh

ryan-tucker
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Last updated: Fri 17 Oct 2025 10:00

Adelaide 36ers are anticipated to dominate again against the Cairns Taipans, following their decisive 110-79 victory in their last matchup. With Cairns' top scorer, Jack McVeigh, absent, Adelaide's formidable duo, Bryce Cotton and Isaac Humphries, are expected to carry the team's performance. Cotton's scoring prowess creates opportunities under the rim for Humphries, who is seeing increased scoring efficiency. Experts recommend taking Adelaide to win, and Humphries to exceed 24.5 in points, assists, and rebounds.

Ryan Tucker 17 Oct 2025
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  • Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 5 NBL matchup
  • Tip-off is at 5:30 PM AEDT at Cairns Convention Centre
  • Adelaide 36ers defeated Cairns Taipans 110-79 two weeks ago.
  • Cairns averages a league-worst 75.5 points per game.
  • Adelaide's Bryce Cotton & Isaac Humphries crucial to their chances.
Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers NBL26 Round 5 Tips

Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers NBL25 Round 5 Expert Tips


Adelaide belted the Taipans just 2 weeks ago in Cairns and the same is expected again as the Bryce Cotton and Isaac Humphries show rolls back into town.
  • Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers NBL25 Round 5 Expert Tips
  • Head to Head 
  • NBL26 Match Results
  • NBL25 Season Series
  • Offensive & Defensive Rankings
  • Cairns Taipans Form & Team News
  • Adelaide 36ers Form & Team News
  • Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers Frequently Asked Questions

These teams met on October 2nd in Cairns with Adelaide taking a dominant 110-79 victory. 4 of the 5 starts scored 19+ points with Cotton topping the lot on 28pts with 3 boards, 7 assists and 5 steals. Humphries had 19 and 6 in that game and was a standout in the most recent win over SEM with 21 and 10.

Cairns have still not found the attacking flair they hoped would come with the addition of Jack McVeigh to the lineup. After averaging 20pts across his first 3 games for the Taipans he scored a combined 27pts in the next three. McVeigh is now confirmed out for this matchup, leaving Cairns without their top scorer.

Bryce Cotton has not only been on an amazing scoring run himself, he has unlocked Isaac Humphries under the rim. The big man is averaging 2 shots more per game on 3 less minutes played while his FG% has risen from last year’s career high of 61.6% to 71.7% with help defenders being attracted by Cotton’s run to the basket. 

Expect the Cotton/Humphries one-two punch to continue in this game against a shorthanded Cairns team that has struggled to contain anyone this season.

Take Adelaide to win and cover the double digit line, Cairns to go Under their team total. Isaac Humphries to go over 24.5 Points, Assists & Rebounds while also jumping on rebounds totals for Humphries.

  • Adelaide won the most recent matchup 2 weeks ago 110-79 in Cairns, Jack McVeigh played in that game but is out now.
  • Cairns are the worst scoring team in the league with 75.5 pts per game, averaging 8 pts less than the team in 9th.
  • Isaac Humphries had 19pts and 6 boards vs Cairns in Round 3 and 21pts 10 rebounds last game vs SEM.
  • Cairns are the worst defensive rebounding team in the league.

Head to Head 


NBL26 Match Results


2nd Oct 25: CAI 79-110 ADE

NBL25 Season Series


DateHome TeamScoreLineTotal Points
19/01/2025CAIADE 99-75ADE -3.5U 191.5
25/10/2024ADEADE 99-93CAI +7.5O 176.5
28/09/2024CAICAI 101-97CAI +6.5O 176.5

Offensive & Defensive Rankings


CNS OffRankStatRankADE Def
75.510PPG687.8
42.75RPG135.8
40.0%10FG%949.1%
26.0%93P%529.4%
16.310TOV413.8

CNS DefRankStatRankADE Off
92.57PPG393.5
46.810RPG936
43.2%3FG%149.3%
25.0%13P%333.6%
7.810TOV311.5

Cairns Taipans Form & Team News


After winning 2 of their first 3 games, the Taipans have since gone on a 3 game skid starting with their Round 3 loss to the 36ers. Across the 3 losses they have failed to exceed 79 pts in scoring, managing just 60 in their last start against Melbourne United 95-60.

Alex Higgins-Titsha top scored off the bench with 16 points in 24 minutes but 4 of the starting 5 scored 8 points or less, Reyne Smith going 0-5 from the field in 28 minutes. They are dead last in scoring by a margin and it doesn’t look like things will be changing any time soon.

Defensively they have allowed 92.5 pts per game to their opponents with the 36ers putting up 110 on them back on October 2nd. The only stat that stands out is their 3pt defence where they rank 1st at 25% but that is mainly thanks to the Wildcats having an off night last week.

Jack McVeigh will miss this matchup with injury.

Adelaide 36ers Form & Team News


Adelaide are in scintillating form this season. Apart from a rough 103-79 loss to the Kings where Bryce Cotton was held to just 7pts, they are undefeated and look every part like a title contender. 

On Thursday they took care of the South East Melbourne Phoenix 88-71 with Cotton bouncing back for 28pts, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Isaac Humphries has a new lease on life with Cotton creating space around the rim, he went for 21 and 10, the second 20pt game of the season for the big man.

It is hard to attribute the poor shooting of SEM this game to the Adelaide defence, they missed 13 straight 3pt attempts to start the game, finishing on 25.8% but a good chunk were open misses. Prior to the matchup the 36ers ranked 5th in Opposition 3pt%.


Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers start?

Tip-off between Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers is at 5:30 PM AEDT, Saturday, October 18

What channel is Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers on?

You can watch Cairns Taipans vs Adelaide 36ers on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Verdict

Take Adelaide to win and cover the double digit line, Cairns to go Under their team total. Isaac Humphries to go over 24.5 Points, Assists & Rebounds while also jumping on rebounds totals for Humphries.
Best Bet1: Adelaide -10.5 Line $1.90 at Playup - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Cairns Under 83.5 Team Total $1.85 at Pandabet - 2 Units
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