Five observations from Adelaide 36ers’ nailbiting four-point win over Cairns Taipans at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Adelaide does not seem to like doing things the easy way but after a round-one shocker it is now 3-1 on the back of a four-point triumph over Cairns at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Friday night. The 36ers looked as though they would cruise to victory when they led by 15 points at three-quarter time and had all the momentum, only for Cairns to cut the lead to two with a minute remaining. But a Daniel Johnson lay-up, a pair of Ramone Moore free throws and an Anthony Drmic steal helped stave off the Taipans. Joey Wright’s men had started the game slowly as Cairns went 4/8 from deep in the first quarter to lead by eight points at quarter-time and early in the second as big man Nathan Jawai was dominating in the paint off the bench. Adelaide eventually found its defensive groove, Jerome Randle, Jack McVeigh and Daniel Johnson got hot then the team took control. The fourth quarter was much closer than Wright and 36ers fans would have liked but they made big plays when it counted. Here’s our key take-outs from the game: 1. 13 not unlucky for some Adelaide’s 13-0 run during the second quarter not only changed the game but came at a crucial time. The Taipans had been in control for the first period and early part of the second, finding easy looks in the paint and scoring most trips down their end. Just when Cairns looked to have the contest on its terms, when it led 41-35, the 36ers stepped up their defence, clogging up the key, getting stops and forcing turnovers. Adelaide’s run started in brilliant fashion when Anthony Drmic spun through traffic before finishing with a left-hand lay-up. Jack McVeigh then made two free throws, Daniel Johnson capitalised on a baseline inbound, before Harry Froling and Randle joined in on the action with buckets. When McVeigh nailed a corner three, Adelaide was suddenly eight points ahead with 12 seconds left in the half. Cairns ended the 36ers’ scoring streak via a Cameron Oliver dunk off an alley-oop on the buzzer. 2. Randle’s got his groove back It had been a solid yet unspectacular start to his Adelaide comeback for Randle before Friday night. The US point guard came into the game averaging 14.7 points and four assists, but he looked on and ready to entertain from the opening tip, and finished with a season-high 22 points. It took just 19 seconds for the 32-year-old to score, piercing the defence with a drive before finishing with a lay-up. From there, he showed plenty of his offensive weapons. There was a three from the top of the key, a floater after a crossover, then a pullback dribble that floored Taipans guard Scott Machado – and wowed the crowd – before making the jumper. A few of Randle’s tricks did not work, including a no-look pass in the first quarter and an alley-oop attempt that fell well short in the second. But it was all part of the show, one that helped make Randle a fan favourite and league MVP during his first stint at the club. And his performance was vital to the 36ers beating the Taipans. 3. Block party for Griffin Eric Griffin may lead the league in blocks this season. The 203cm big man swatted four shots against the Taipans, including two in the fourth quarter, and had a big influence on the result. Griffin brings plenty to the table as an import but his defence and ability to change opponent’s shots are among his best attributes. He also contributed 13 points and eight boards. 4. Deng back home Majok Deng switched from the 36ers to the Taipans during the off-season in search of more court-time and the chance to start. Coming off a career-high 22 points in Cairns’ upset win against Perth last weekend, Forestville product Deng returned to his hometown and registered 13 points and three steals. There had been some banter and a jocular pushing between the forward and his former teammates as they headed into the changerooms after shootaround but when once play tipped off, Deng was all business. He drove hard to the basket, drew a foul and connected on one of two free-throws, before a dunking from an alley-oop shortly after on his way to five first-quarter points. His influence was up and down from there, struggling to keep Adelaide’s bigs off boards but hitting two fourth-quarter threes as Cairns made its run.