The Warrnambool-raised Sobey inspired Brisbane to a 124-88 victory against Cairns Taipans on Saturday night with 30 points, six rebounds and six assists.

The 36-point victory kept the Bullets in the playoff equation.

They needed a 34-point win to stay in contention.

Then the nervous wait began - Brisbane needed Melbourne United to lose to South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

But 2019 beaten grand finalist United spoiled the party, easily accounting for the competition's newest franchise 109-90 to usurp the Bullets and book their ticket to the playoffs.

Sobey, who crossed to Brisbane from Adelaide 36ers on a three-year deal, averaged a career-high 16.54 points a game in 2019-20.

The 155-game guard made 28 appearances for the Bullets, averaging 3.46 assists and 3.93 rebounds.

His 30 points in Brisbane's final game was his equal-highest of the season.

The Australian Boomers representative also recorded the total two games before against New Zealand Breakers.

Fellow Warrnambool export and four-time NBL championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson has again guided powerhouse Perth Wildcats to the finals, stretching the club's playoff streak into a 34^th season.

The defending champions finished second behind Sydney Kings and will play Cairns Taipans in a best-of-three semi-final series.

The NBL will have a pre-finals bye, owing to international basketball commitments, with Perth to start its semi-final series on Friday, February 28.

The opening Sydney versus Melbourne clash will be on Saturday, February 29.

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