Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans
Sunday, October 12, 4.30pm AEDT
John Cain ArenaHow to watch\u200d<\/p>\n
\u200dWatch every game live on ESPN and Channel 10 DRAMA.<\/p>\n
>> How to watch ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n How to follow & live scores<\/p>\n \u200dLive scores, stats, breaking news and game highlights are available via the new and improved NBL App.<\/a><\/p>\n >> Visit Game Centre<\/a> | Download the free NBL App now<\/a><\/p>\n Talking points<\/p>\n United’s bogey team<\/p>\n MelbourneUnited arguably the leading championship contender early in the season, yet none of that seems to matter when they face the Taipans. <\/p>\n Dean Vickerman has lost six of the last nine games against Cairns, which provides a unique battle on Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n Will United match the increased confidence that theTaipans come into this game with?<\/p>\n Edwards the unsung hero<\/p>\n Jesse Edwards has very quietly been one of the most dominant players across the entire league to begin NBL26. <\/p>\n Outside of Bryce Cotton, there\u2019s a strong case to say Edwards needs to be in the next pack of MVP favourites, as he leads his team to an undefeated start to the season. <\/p>\n He\u2019s doing it on both ends of the floor at an extremely high level, and could provide big problems to theTaipans.<\/p>\n What they’re saying<\/p>\n United coach Dean Vickerman on the return of star Chris Goulding:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we saw today (on the practice floor) is a super high-IQ player who sees coverages and understands how to manipulate them,” Vickerman said.<\/p>\n “He can use the gravity of his shot and be a great positional defender.\u201d<\/p>\n Cairns coach Adam Forde on the Taipans’ quick turnaround from Friday:<\/p>\n \u201cWe build up some mental calluses from having done it before,\u201d Forde said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve talked about the things we could identify that are fixable and made sure the guys are as physically and mentally prepared as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Depth charts<\/p>\n Melbourne<\/p>\n \u200dProjected depth chart:<\/p>\n PG:\u00a0Walker(IP) \/ Daniels (NS)<\/p>\n SG:\u00a0Doyle (IP) \/ Wilson \/ Blogg (DP)<\/p>\n SF:\u00a0Goulding \/ Krebs\u00a0\/ Machar<\/p>\n PF:\u00a0Delany\u00a0\/ Bowen \/ Koppens (DP)<\/p>\n C:\u00a0Edwards (IP) \/ Krslovic \/ Tata (NRP)<\/p>\n Cairns<\/p>\n \u200dProjected depth chart:<\/p>\n PG:\u00a0Andrews(IP)\u00a0\/ Adnam<\/p>\n SG:\u00a0Smith\u00a0\/ Stattmann \/ L.McVeigh (DP)<\/p>\n SF:\u00a0Schofield (IP) \/ Higgins-Titsha \/ Mag<\/p>\n PF:\u00a0J.McVeigh \/ Galloway<\/p>\n C:\u00a0Lee (IP) \/ Richardson (DP)<\/p>\n \u200d<\/p>\n Missing in Action<\/p>\n Melbourne<\/p>\n Shea Ili \u2013 Hamstring \u2013 November 8<\/p>\n Cairns<\/p>\n SamWaardenburg \u2013 Ankle \u2013 December 10<\/p>\n