Gibbo milestone sparks Phoenix return to form

Gibbo, that one's for you mate. South East Melbourne coach Simon Mitchell has credited Adam Gibson’s 450th NBL match as the catalyst for his side to snap a three-game form slump to beat the Cairns Taipans 86-66 on ANZAC Day.

Gibson is the only current NBL player to reach that mark in a stellar career that has included two championships (Brisbane Bullets and South Dragons) and became an Olympian during his Australian Boomers international career.

Mitchell said that Gibson's milestone had been a huge motivator and that they were not going to leave Cairns Pop-Up Arena on Sunday evening without the win on the back of losing their past three matches, including at home to the Sydney Kings by 20 on Thursday.

"Under no circumstances would that be acceptable," Mitchell said.

"The things we have been deficient at, Adam excels at. He is a blood and guts basketballer and he does the little things exceptionally well - as well as being a blue-chip guy.

"As a club, we had to look him in the eye and say ... we can't go out and do what we have the last three games and look him in the eye after the game. There is no doubt that his 450th game affected our guys."

Originally scheduled to play the Bullets in Brisbane, the Phoenix had to rush up the Queensland coast after the snap lockdown in Perth left the Bullets stranded in Western Australia.

The change in plans meant little as the Phoenix leapt all over the Taipans, surging to a 20-point first-quarter lead that they were never going to surrender.

Mitchell said that the disrupted nature played into their hands as they were looking internally to end a form slump.

"We have been on a soul searching operation ... we have not been pleased with our performances," he said.

"We haven't been focusing on our opponent. It was really about having a look at ourselves and focusing on where we are falling over."

Former Cairns skipper Cameron Gliddon lit up Cairns Pop Up Arena with 22 points and seven rebounds in a display that would not have impressed his former fans.

Beyond that, the Phoenix spread the load well with Reuben Te Rangi (13 points), Mitch Creek (11 points, eight rebounds, three steals) and Kyle Adnam (12 points, four rebounds) all chipping in for the big win.

The win consolidated South East Melbourne's place in the #NBL21 top four, equal on wins with the third placed Kings. 

Despite the final scoreline, there were flickers of hope for the Taipans. After a tough two-game run on the road, they were able to muster up resistance and cut the margin to as little as eight points after the Phoenix led 18-2 after five minutes. 

There were encouraging signs again from new kids on the block Venky Jois (12 points, eight rebounds) and Tad Dufelmeier (11 points, seven rebounds). 

Mojave King continued his consistent run of form with 11 points and seven rebounds while import Scott Machado couldn’t get going with just the six points on 2/11 shooting with four assists. 

The Taipans could have blamed the schedule disruption or a tough week of travel for the loss by coach Mike Kelly was not willing to make excuses.

"I wish I could say that was the case, but no," he said.

"Everybody's schedule has been disrupted. They came out and went to the rack and we let them get there, no excuses for that.

"We were ready to go, we knew we were coming back to play a game at 5pm on Sunday."

Kelly also paid tribute to Gibson for his milestone effort.

"It is an incredible achievement," he said.

"I have heard nothing but good things about him and how he has carried himself in this league, through the ups and downs.

"I am really happy when a great player can play that many games. He obviously loves the game and that comes through in how he plays."

Te Rangi and Creek were able to give the Phoenix the fast start they wanted and a commanding 18-2 advantage to get on the front foot early. Tall Blacks captain Te Rangi was unstoppable with a perfect 3/3 while Creek and Yanni Wetzell dominated the paint, while Cairns could only manage a clip of 1/9 in the early carnage.

Gliddon was splashing triples. 'Wild' Kyle Adnam was slashing to the rim for fun. Serbian Sniper Mirko Djeric and Mojave King gave the Snakes a sniff of momentum as the seconds of the quarter ticker down, but still, it was South East Melbourne with a 29-16 lead at the first break.

It was a tighter contest in the second quarter as Cairns slowly began to eat away at the deficit. The hero of the Snakes' last start win over the Breakers Tad Dufelmeier nailed a triple that cut the margin to 12, and they were back within eight by half-time.

It was a frustrating third quarter for the Taipans who were working hard but failing to make any further in-roads, with coach Mike Kelly telling his charges they were "wasting their energy" in a time-out. Djeric attempted another bailout bombing raid but it was the Phoenix leading 71-53 at the final break.

The visitors were able to keep the Snakes at arm's length for the remainder of the clash and notch up win No. 14 for the season.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 15

CAIRNS TAIPANS 66 (Jois 12, Dufelmeier 11, King 11)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 86 (Gliddon 22, Te Rangi 13, Adnam 12) 

BOX SCORE