DrinkWise game preview - Round 18: Wildcats v Taipans

The Taipans are bottom of the ladder but have won three of their last five games, including knocking off top-ranked Illawarra Hawks at home on Thursday night and again within the past month.

Rillie said it was important not to take the in-form Taipans lightly as the Wildcats hunt a sixth win in seven games.

“They’re definitely playing a better brand of basketball over the last couple of games. So we’d better not be disrespectful and just think we can show up,” Rillie said.

Rillie confirmed import Dylan Windler will miss a second straight game with an eye injury as the Wildcats take a cautious approach.

Speedster Tai Webster also remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

“We just want to make sure when he comes back, we have nothing to worry about moving forward,” Rillie said about Windler.

A win is crucial for the Wildcats given how tight the ladder is during the business end of the season.

Perth have four regular-season games remaining and current sit in fourth spot with a 15-10 record.

Just two wins separate the second-placed Sydney Kings (16-10) and fifth-placed South East Melbourne Phoenix (14-11), and face both in the final two home-and-away matches of NBL25.

Rillie backed his young bigs Izan Almansa and David Okwera to continue their starting roles, despite a career-high 33 points off the bench from Kristian Doolittle in Wednesday night’s loss to Melbourne United and 10 points and seven rebounds from Keanu Pinder.

“We can’t let one result cloud what we’ve been doing over the last couple of months. I’m not going to change. I’m very happy with Keanu Pinder and the way he is playing. I like the way our group is playing. We’re playing good basketball, our group is in a good spot what with where we are as a team. I’m very good with how everything is going,” Rillie said.

“The benefit is we started to find a really good groove as a team with those guys starting. I’m not a person that’s just going to change for change. We reward guys who play well together and do their job They’re comfortable and are doing great in their roles.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans

When: 5pm WST Saturday 25 January

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Get your tickets here

Opposition watch

The Taipans have been a danger team in recent weeks as they look to disrupt the finals race.

Like the Wildcats, Cairns have been dealing with injury issues for the bulk of the season.

Young gun Taran Armstrong missed Thursday’s win over the Hawks and is in doubt to make the Perth trip.

Last time they met

Bryce Cotton starred with 44 points as the Wildcats dominated in the second half to prevail 128-92 at Cairns Convention Centre.

Cotton produced his fourth consecutive 40-point haul in a row to strengthen his chances of winning a fifth Andrew Gaze Trophy.

The Wildcats outscored the Taipans 74-35 after half-time with Dylan Windler (18 points), Keanu Pinder (13) and Elijah Pepper (10) joining Cotton in double figures.

Pinder finished with a double-double against his former team.