Kings v Taipans Playoff Series Locked In

The Cairns Taipans have advanced to the Playoffs after dominating the Perth Wildcats, 91-78, in the do-or-die Play-In Game.

The result means the Taipans will battle the defending champion Sydney Kings in the best-of-three game Playoff series, with a spot in the Championship Series on the line.  

Game 1 of the Kings v Taipans series will be on Wednesday night at Qudos Bank Arena with tip-off scheduled for 7:30pm AEDT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.

The winner of the series will battle the winner of the New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers Playoff series in the Championship Series.

Full details of the Playoffs tournament schedule are as follows: 

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS v TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Game 1: Sunday 12 February
New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers, Spark Arena, 4:00pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach & 10 play/Live on SkySport (NZ)
New Zealand 88 defeated Tasmania 68

Game 2: Thursday 16 February
Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers, MyState Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies/Live on SkySport (NZ)
Ticketing information: Click here

Game 3 (if required): Sunday 19 February
New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers, Spark Arena, 4:00pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies/Live on SkySport (NZ)
Ticketing information: Click here (if required)

SYDNEY KINGS v CAIRNS TAIPANS

Game 1: Wednesday 15 February
Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans, Qudos Bank Arena, 7:30pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies/Live on ESPN (NZ)
Ticketing information: Click here

Game 2: Friday 17 February
Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings, Cairns Convention Centre, 7:30pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies/Live on ESPN (NZ)
Ticketing information: Click here

Game 3 (if required): Sunday 19 February
Sydney Kings v Cairns Taipans, Qudos Bank Arena, 2:00pm AEDT
Live & free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies/Live on ESPN (NZ)
Ticketing information: Click here (if required)

Taipans' coach Adam Forde has already declared his side is ready for the challenge the Kings present, saying he constructed the roster to defeat them. 

“We built this team to try and be the direct match-up for Sydney. My dream is that we play them, because that’s the team that’s number one. If you really want to come out the other end being the best team, you have to beat them,” Forde told NBL Media.

Cairns took care of business against Perth, as superstar DJ Hogg created history in the win.

Hogg scored 32 points, the most ever by a Taipan in a Finals game, while also adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists in a tremendous performance.

Bul Kuol amassed 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Sam Waardenburg had 15 points and 10 rebounds.