Taipans fall to Raptors in NBLxNBA clash

Monday, October 16, 2023

Cairns has rounded out its NBLxNBA series with a loss to Toronto.

The Cairns Taipans have closed their two-game NBLxNBA tour with a loss to the Toronto Raptors and former Next Star Makur Maker.

The Taipans were rebounding from a disappointing defeat to Xavier Cooks and the Washington Wizards, and looked a far more fluid side on offence with the inclusion of the fit-again Sam Waardenburg and 500-game NBA veteran Elfrid Payton.

Payton came into the side for one game, due to the absences of Taran Armstrong, Tahjere McCall and Sam Mennenga.

Waardenburg was strong in his first game back from illness, and scored 15 points while largely being matched up on two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, and veteran guard Patrick Miller top scored for the Snakes with 22 points.

Payton added 21 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

Australian basketball fans will have memories of starting Toronto guard Dennis Schroder torching the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup, but the German couldn’t replicate that performance in his 16 minutes on court.

Former King Makur Maker played eight minutes and finished with two points and three rebounds, while Javon Freeman-Liberty top scored for the Raptors with 15 points.

The Taipans will now return to Australia to continue their NBL season. New Zealand will close out this season’s NBLxNBA campaign with a clash against Utah tomorrow – live and free on Kayo Freebies.

CAIRNS - 93 (Payton 21pts, 7ast, 7reb/Miller 22pts, 6ast, 5reb/ Roberts 11pts, 5reb)
TORONTO - 134 (Freeman-Liberty 15pts, 3reb/Barnes 14pts, 5reb, 4ast/Siakam 12pts, 7reb, 5ast)