Law Delivers as Wildcats Open Blitz Account

A flying start and then dominant finish with Vic Law the standout has helped the Perth Wildcats record their first win at the NBL Blitz in Tasmania on Sunday, beating the Cairns Taipans 96-87.

While the Taipans showed some encouraging signs ahead of the #NBL22 season in between with Nate Jawai dominant, Stephen Zimmerman solid again and Tahjere McCall exciting, the start and finish to the game from the Wildcats was too much.

In the end, the import trio of Vic Law, Bryce Cotton and Michael Frazier showed that they are beginning to find their groove together as well in just the second game they have played with another.

That trio finished Sunday's game at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre combining for 58 points, 19 rebounds and five assists on shooting 18/39 from the field, 10/21 from deep and 12/15 at the foul line.

That, combined with a fast start of 13-2 against the Taipans in the opening four minutes and then coming from four points down early in the fourth quarter to finish the game on a 22-9 run set up the Wildcats to win their first game at the Blitz following losses to the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets.

While it was a third loss for the Taipans at the Blitz on the back of falling to the 36ers and Tasmania JackJumpers as well, there were encouraging signs for new coach Adam Forde including a dominance on the glass and some decent field goal shooting for the afternoon.

It was a day to be encouraged by for the Wildcats, especially though, and Vic Law was at the forefront of it all delivering 28 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a dominant display reminiscent of what he was doing with the Bullets last season before getting hurt.

Bryce Cotton is gearing up to be back to his best this season coming off injury that robbed him of taking part in the playoffs earlier this year. He knocked down six three-pointers on his way to 22 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Michael Frazier might have only played eight minutes as he builds up his base out of hotel quarantine, but the signs were good from the third Wildcats import with eight points and three rebounds.

Majok Majok also had nine points and four rebounds while Luke Travers hit two huge threes in the fourth quarter when left wide open by the Taipans on his way to eight points, five assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.

Nate Jawai was clearly the standout performer on the afternoon for the Taipans, putting in an efficient and dominant display down low for 21 points, three assists and two rebounds in just over 20 minutes while shooting 10/13 from the floor.

Fellow big man Stephen Zimmerman was impressive for the third straight game at the Blitz with 14 points and eight rebounds while Tahjere McCall showed exciting signs with his 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Scott Machado finished with 12 points and seven assists for Cairns, Mirko Djeric 11 points and seven assists, Majok Deng nine points, four assists and four rebounds, and Jarrod Kenny six points and two boards.

Both teams will play again at the NBL Blitz on Wednesday with the Taipans first up against the Brisbane Bullets before the Wildcats take on the local Tasmania JackJumpers.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ

PERTH WILDCATS 96 (Law 28, Cotton 22, Majok 9)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 87 (Jawai 21, Zimmerman 14, McCall 14) 

BOX SCORE