Unleashed Hogg Needs More Looks

Cairns’ coach Adam Forde has admitted star forward DJ Hogg needs to get more shots, following the Taipans’ Play-In Game win on Sunday.

Hogg made history in Sunday’s sudden-death game against the Perth Wildcats, scoring a Taipans' Finals franchise high 32 points, unleashing his best performance to guide Cairns to the Playoffs with a 91-78 win.

Forde took blame for potentially not giving the All-NBL Second Team member enough shot attempts this season and is proud Hogg stepped up in a time of need without key pieces Tahjere McCall and Keanu Pinder.

“It’s been my biggest fault not getting him more looks,” Forde said.

“He’s capable of this every single night. I look at 11 of 19 and I want another 10 shots from him.

“He’s been extremely effective all season.

“DJ is very humble and he’s a great teammate.”

The Taipans finished ninth last season, with Forde commenting on the lack of pressure they feel given the low expectations on the side this season.

The Coach of the Year winner says his team will take that same approach into the best-of-three Playoff series against the Sydney Kings, with a spot in the Championship Series on the line.

“There’s no pressure on us. No one is expecting anything from us, they haven’t all season,” Forde said.

“With more bodies down, there’s no pressure on us other then to just go out and enjoy basketball.

“We were tipped to finish dead last, as long as the boys go out and enjoy their basketball. You don’t want to leave with any regret.

“Our best can match it with anybody and we showed that multiple times during the season.”

Game 1 of the Playoff series against the Kings is on Wednesday night at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.