At 16:30 on December 31st, the Cairns Taipans will clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in an NBL showdown. The Cairns Taipans have had a season of fluctuating performance, with a 25% overall win rate, placing them at the bottom of the standings after 10 games. Their offense averages 81.5 points per game, while their defense concedes 95.5 points, resulting in a net negative of 14 points, indicating a strong offense but a weak defense. Their home form has improved slightly, with a win in March, but they are currently on a two-game losing streak. Home team half-time offensive and defensive data indicates a high average points conceded, with a 36.4% half-time win rate, suggesting potential issues in controlling the pace at the start of the game. In contrast, the South East Melbourne Phoenix have shown more stability, winning 4 of their last 6 games, with a win rate of 66.7%. Their away performance is better than their home performance, with a 33.3% win rate and a favorable head-to-head record against the home team. The Cairns Taipans, with a record of 3 wins and 9 losses, rely on the offensive firepower of Jaden McVeigh (16.2 points per game). They have shown resilience at home, winning 5 of their last 7 games, but face challenges with four injured players and a significant scoring differential of -17.1 points per game. The South East Melbourne Phoenix hold a record of 7 wins and 3 losses, placing them third. They are led by Creek, who averages 23.7 points per game, spearheading the league's second-best offense, but they are coming off a three-game losing streak and have only one win in their last 8 away games. Key points of interest in this match include whether the Cairns Taipans can exploit their opponent's struggles on the road and leverage their home advantage to secure a winning streak. Additionally, can the Phoenix find a way to help Nathan Sobey regain his form and break their away game slump?