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Round 6 of the NBL26 season continues with Ignite Cup action on Wednesday night, as the Cairns Taipans host the Perth Wildcats at the Cairns Convention Centre.
The Taipans have hit a rough patch, dropping four straight games, while the Wildcats have also struggled, losing their past two outings by an average margin of 19.5 points. Both sides are desperate to turn things around, making this a fascinating clash between two teams searching for rhythm and confidence.
This matchup could come down to which team tightens up defensively — the side that can finally get some stops might be the one to break its slump.
What is the NBL Ignite Cup 2026?
Here is a Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats Prediction for Round 6, October 22nd 2025.
Be sure to check back before each NBL26 Match for NBL Previews, NBL Head to Head Predictions, NBL Tips, NBL Picks and NBL Predictions for matches of NBL Season 26.
Australian Basketball Predictions, NBL Betting Tips and NBL Player Props and Insights.
Cairns Taipans vs Perth Wildcats Prediction
Venue – Cairns Convention Centre
Tip Off – 7.30pm EST
Season Record
| Team | W-L | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 2-5 | 1-3 | 1-2 |
| Perth | 3-3 | 1-2 | 2-1 |
Season Scoring
| Team | PPG | Opp PPG | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 77 | 92.3 | 169.3 |
| Perth | 83 | 86.3 | 169.3 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Cairns Taipans are in a slump, having dropped four straight games, and will be desperate to turn things around in front of their home crowd.
- The Perth Wildcats have dominated in Cairns, winning six consecutive games at the Cairns Convention Centre — a streak they’ll be confident of extending.
- Recent road games for the Wildcats have been low-scoring battles, with a combined game total average of just 163.3 points across their last three away contests.
- Both teams have struggled from deep this season — the Taipans are shooting just 27.6% from three-point range, while the Wildcats sit at 25.4%, the two lowest marks in the league.
Quick Player Facts – Cairns Taipans
- Andrew Andrews is in great form, averaging 22 points and 5 assists across his last two games.
- Andrew Andrews has struggled from deep, hitting just 5 of 25 three-point attempts across his last three games.
- Admiral Schofield is averaging 18 points across four home games this season, attempting nearly 10 threes per game and converting 15 of 39 (38.5%).
- Marcus Lee has been consistent, scoring 10+ points in five of seven games so far this season.
- Kyrin Galloway is pulling down 6 rebounds per game across his last six outings.
Quick Player Facts – Perth Wildcats
- Jo Lual Acuil has been the shining light for the Wildcats, averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds across the first six games.
- Kristian Doolittle has struggled to score, averaging just 11.7 points in six games, down from 14 per game last season.
- Ben Henshall is seeing fewer minutes, averaging 16.7 per game so far this season compared to 23.5 last year.
- Jaron Rillie is coming off his best game for the Wildcats, scoring 16 points in the loss to Sydney.
Prediction
The Perth Wildcats may be out of sorts right now, but they still have the depth and talent to win games — with plenty of players capable of stepping up offensively. With wing Dylan Windler sidelined, the Wildcats will be looking for improvement from Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper to help ease the scoring load.
For Adam Forde’s Cairns Taipans, this is a golden opportunity to take advantage of a Perth side that’s been struggling at the guard spots. Playing at home, expect the Taipans to make this one a grind and turn it into a defensive scrap.