Bullets light it up to beat Snakes

Both Queensland teams were in desperate need of an NBL win and had their best scoring first halves of NBL26, but it was the Brisbane Bullets better equipped to keep it going for the 113-85 home win over the Cairns Taipans.

The Bullets were playing their second of three straight home games at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with the Taipans welcoming back Jack McVeigh attempting to snap a six-game losing slide which have come at an average of 22 points.

It was a vastly improved offensive performance from the Snakes who had been averaging just 76 points a game this season but their defence again had no answers with the Bullets having an equally effective inside and outside game.

The Bullets put up a season-best 113 points on shooting 55 per cent from the field including going 13/33 from three-point range while having seven players scoring at least eight points.

Tyrell Harrison was impressive inside for Brisbane ending up with 21 points, eight rebounds and two blocks on 9/13 shooting with Casey Prather delivering another 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Jaylen Adams also had 20 points and seven assists with Taine Murray contributing 16 points on 6/8 shooting, Alex Ducas 13 points and three assists, and new import Dakota Mathias 11 points with 3/10 three-point shooting.

The Taipans have now lost seven straight to be 2-8 but they did have better offensive flow with 30 assists on their 32 made field goals along with going 15/18 at the foul line.

McVeigh returned for 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals while Kyrin Galloway added 12 points and three boards, and Andrew Andrews 11 points and 10 assists despite shooting 3/12.

The Taipans' offence at least showed signs on Thursday as they built a 27-25 first-quarter lead.

There were 25 lead changes approaching half-time before a 10-point Bullets run put them up 57-47 at the main break.

The hosts pushed that out further in the third quarter, Alex Ducas firing a quick triple that had McVeigh throwing his head back in disgust.

Taipans coach Adam Forde was unimpressed with his side's desperation as the Bullets continued to pick off their own missed shots.

His men responded to get the margin back into single figures but again let themselves down with unforced errors.

A fast start to the final term was capped by a steal and runaway slam from Prather that opened the floodgates.

The Bullets were able to feed Harrison in the key often enough while Adams had his best game as a Bullet ahead of a date with former team.

Both teams have the quick turnaround to play again on Saturday with the bonus for the Bullets that they get to stay at home to host the Sydney Kings.

The Taipans head to Launceston to play the Tasmania JackJumpers at The Silverdome.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

BRISBANE BULLETS 113 (Prather 21, Harrison 21, Adams 20)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 85 (McVeigh 23, Galloway 12, Andrews 11)

BOX SCORE