Cairns Taipans at Illawarra Hawks

Illawarra's defensive problem is players, not schemes, coach Justin Tatum said, and imports Milton Doyle and Kelan Martin must be more vocal: "If the individuals don't buy in on... guarding one on one, then it's really tough to do." Another import won't fix it, he said.

Replacement player Lamar Patterson is "doing exactly what I feel he was brought in here to do... uplift us in a spot if something happens," Illawarra coach Justin Tatum said. He named Patterson and Kyle Adnam as veterans who can plug in if injuries hit.

Illawarra coach Justin Tatum wants more minutes for Makur Maker, naming him one of the bright spots after he produced in 17 minutes: "We just got to find a way to keep fitting him in and hopefully find him some more minutes."

"This is a real example of a sink or swim type situation, and right now he's swimming." Cairns coach Adam Forde on Luke Paul, 17, thrown into his first away game by an early injury. Paul is being paired with another ball handler to share running the offense.

Forward Keanu Pinder brought the ball up for the Cairns Taipans against Illawarra, with all five players spread out around the three-point line. Coach Adam Forde said the switch came because Illawarra "did a good job pressuring our guards."