Hawks claim consecutive NBL wins with Taipans upset

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 11:47 · Archive

Illawarra defeated Cairns 107-95 in the NBL, claiming consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Illawarra Hawks defeated Cairns Taipans 107-95 on Thursday at Cairns Convention Centre in an upset road win that extended the bottom-placed Hawks' winning streak to consecutive games for the first time this season. The Hawks shot 60 per cent from the floor and had five players score in double figures. Recruit Makur Maker produced a dynamic performance with 24 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.

Cairns made a bold tactical decision in starting 17-year-old emerging guard Luke Paul, projected as a future NBA lottery pick. The decision proved inspired as Paul showed poise in his NBL debut, finishing with a career-high 12 points. Keanu Pinder scored a team-high 21 points for Cairns. The Taipans were without star recruit Jaylin Goodwin, sidelined for eight weeks with a low-grade spinal compression fracture.

The loss marked Cairns' second consecutive defeat, following a 113-97 loss to Melbourne United that ended a strong stretch where they had won five of six games. Illawarra had earlier claimed a 105-98 win in Perth against the Wildcats as part of a five-game road trip.

Hawks claim consecutive NBL wins with Taipans upset — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

Hawks continue NBL turnaround with Taipans upsetMakur Maker has fallen agonisingly shy of a double-double, but still led a balanced Illawarra to a 107-95 victory in Cairns.The West Australian · 5 Nov, 11:01
Hawks continue NBL turnaround with Taipans upsetMakur Maker has fallen agonisingly shy of a double-double, but still led a balanced Illawarra to a 107-95 victory in Cairns.Perth Now · 5 Nov, 11:01

In this story: Illawarra Hawks · Cairns Taipans · Makur Maker · Luke Paul · Keanu Pinder · Jaylin Goodwin

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