That's the view of Taipans forward Majok Deng.

Cairns finished the regular season third but will limp into their best of three semi-final series against Perth from February 28 - smarting from two-straight losses capped by Saturday's ambush in Brisbane.

Needing to win by at least 34 points to keep their faint play-off hopes alive, the Bullets fed off a pumped up sell-out home crowd to come out swinging against Cairns and set up the remarkable win with a 39-15 first term.

It marked the second defeat in three days for the Taipans after their 16 point away loss to Melbourne United on Thursday night.

It may appear to be a nightmare lead-up to the finals but Deng believed the Brisbane rout may yet help Cairns preparations.

"They applied a bit of pressure and we need that going forward into the playoffs - I think we can learn a lot from it," Deng, who led the Taipans with 20 points and seven rebounds against Brisbane, said.

"I think it will help us a lot.

"Credit to Brisbane, they played a hell of a game but we have the bigger picture to think about, not dwell on this game.

"We are in the finals. We should be happy about that. We've just got to go in ready to play."

Brisbane made the Taipans pay for 26 turnovers as they blazed away at Nissan Arena to register an NBL season high total and inflict what could be a confidence-sapping loss to Cairns.

But coach Mike Kelly said the Taipans would rebound against the Wildcats.

"It's going to be a dog fight in Perth," he said.

"(But) the guy's feel pretty good right now as far as big picture.

"The guys weren't happy to get their tails kicked by Brisbane but I think this is a real confident group.

"I feel great overall how we are playing."

Australian Associated Press