NBL Basketball / Andy Morris / 30 September 2008 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Their defeat in Auckland sent shockwaves through the competition, but the Melbourne Tigers can bounce back with a victory in Cairns, writes Andy Morris.

The Tigers never expected to go through the season unbeaten, but to lose so comprehensively to the Breakers in Round 2 was a real jolt. The way they were out-played and failed to contain the New Zealanders' shooting was a real worry for coach Al Westover.

They conceded 120 points in Auckland, the most by any team in this fledgling season. Despite seeing Chris Anstey weigh in with 32 points, the Tigers needed more from Ebi Ere who was not the force we have come to expect, scoring on only six of 13 shots including one of five from behind the arc.

Although the margin was only nine points it could easily have been more and four Breakers were able to reach the 20-point mark in the game.

The Taipans, having won twice in Round 1 - against South Dragons and the Gold Coast Blaze - were beaten 100-96 by the Crocodiles in Townsville last time out despite looking the better of the teams for much of the night.

They led by as much as 19 points, but ultimately paid the price for over-reliance on Stephen Black. Black made 10 of 13, including six from downtown, but though Martin Cattalini registered a double-double the Taipans just didn't produce enough points from across their team.

Last season, the Tigers won both of their fixtures against Cairns quite comfortably. They ran up a 17-point win margin in Queensland and won the return by nine points in Round 15.

They are bound to have learned lessons from the defeat to the Breakers, including not taking the opposition too lightly.

If they can recapture the form they have already shown this season, in beating the Spirit and the Blaze, then the Tigers should be able to account for the Taipans.

Elsewhere this weekend, two teams sitting on 50 per cent records clash at the WIN Entertainment Centre when the Hawks host the Dragons.

The Hawks will have had only two days off between matches, after facing the Wildcats. But that should not represent a major problem, as they showed in Round 1.

Having lost their season-opener in New Zealand, in a result that at the time looked poor, they bounced back two days later to inflict a 12-point loss on the Spirit in front of their own fans.

The Dragons will be on the road for the second time in three days having faced the Blaze earlier in the round. Having started their season with a loss to the Taipans in Cairns, they completed a swift double victory over Perth.

The Dragons looked especially impressive at Hisense Arena in front of their own fans when beating the Wildcats by 16 points, then got up by four points at Challenge Stadium four days later.

There are positive signs for the Dragons, who won only five games last season. But they might have to look elsewhere for their victories, as the Hawks should win this one.

Saturday's other match sees the Crocodiles host the Wildcats at the Townsville Entertainment Centre where the Crocs should be strong this season.

Townsville's late rally to beat Cairns last time out pleased their fans, and Perth are hard to back on the evidence of their disappointing defeats to the Dragons. So the Crocs can be backed in match odds.

Advice: back the Tigers, Hawks and Crocodiles in match odds.