The Cairns Taipans hold on for an upset victory over the third-placed New Zealand Breakers on Sunday. This was a big win that could help get the Taipans back in the top four next round.
Final score
Cairns Taipans 91
New Zealand Breakers 80
The Cairns Taipans and the New Zealand Breakers both badly need a win to keep their seasons ticking over when they meet in tropical far north Queensland on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live score updates and a live blog of the game, starting from 3pm (AEDT).
With both teams coming off losses there will be plenty on the line this time out. The Taipans can draw within one game of the top four if they can win this match at home, while the Breakers remain one of the teams to beat this season.
The Taipans will be hoping to snap their two-game losing streak against a Breakers team that has been inconsistent away from home this season.
Big man Nathan Jawai has improved each game after missing some early season action due to a finger injury, and Mark Worthington has continued his all-round brilliance as he leads the team in assists and rebounds while still averaging over ten points per game.
The Breakers will be looking to bounce back after an embarrassing 31-point loss to the Hawks last Sunday. New import David Stockton (son of NBA legend John) has hit the ground running for his new team, averaging six assists in his first two games, while veteran sharpshooter Kirk Penney is still one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the game, average over 15 points per game so far this season.
Prediction
It’s a tough call between two teams desperate to get back among the winners, but even though the Taipans have the home court advantage I’ll tip the Breakers to come out hard early after a poor outing last week and hold on to win a close one.
New Zealand Breakers by 6 points.
Join The Roar for live score updates and a live blog of the game, starting from 3pm (AEDT).
carol Mackenzie
Guest
Great home win!
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Full time The Taipans hold on for an upset victory over the 3rd placed Breakers. This is a big win that could help get the Taipans back in the top four next round. Travis Trice was unstoppable for the Taipans, scoring 31 points and setting up their offense. Jawai remains a matchup nightmare down low, getting several Breakers big men in foul trouble. Gliddon and Worthington showed their experience on both ends of the floor, and that was enough to get the win tonight. For the Taipans to keep moving forward they will need their second unit to step up and atleast break even against their opposing backups. But this shows us that the Taipans are a real threat for travelling teams on their homecourt. The Breakers have lost their last two games now, both by sizable margins. They will need to come out strong next round against the Hawks on Friday. Being back at home will give them some relief as they try to figure out what's been going wrong. Their offense never really got going tonight, with Webster and Penney both turning it over several times. Stockton looked dangerous in limited minutes, and they might have to consider injecting him into the starting lineup if their offensive struggles continue. But they still have a deep squad that can hold their own against the top teams in the competition. Thanks for joining us. Lookout for the next game tonight at 7pm AEDT as the Wildcats take on the Hawks.
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Long pass hits Jawai for the one handed slam! The crowd goes wild. Breakers turn it over again and the final siren goes. Breakers 80 Taipans 91
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Another Breakers turnover as Webster can't get the inbounds pass in on time. This one is over. Breakers 80 Taipans 89
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Trice hits both. He has 31 points. Breakers 80 Taipans 89
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Trice is fouled on the inbounds pass. He goes to the line to shoot 2 with 42 seconds remaining. Breakers 80 Taipans 87
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Penney with another bad turnover. The Breakers have hurt themselves with all these mistakes. Breakers 80 Taipans 87
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 It's Breakers ball with 55 seconds left, still down by 7. Breakers 80 Taipans 87
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 A crazy few moments as the Breakers turn it over then the Taipans finish a layup and then get a steal off the inbounds pass. But the Breakers coach might have got a timeout before the inbounds pass. Breakers 80 Taipans 87
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Jawai! The big man gets a steal and hits the shot. Breakers 79 Taipans 83
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Stockton hits a 3 after the offensive rebound. Breakers 79 Taipans 83
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Trice completes the 4 point play. I think this one might be over. 1.47 to go. Breakers 76 Taipans 83
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Trice hits the 3 and is fouled! Breakers 76 Taipans 82
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Penney shoots a brick and it goes out of bounds. Taipans have the ball with 2 minutes left. Breakers 76 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
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Q4 Penney misses the third shot but it's tipped in by Mitchell! Taipans lead by 3. Breakers 76 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Penney is fouled on a 3 point shot! Breakers 72 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Trice travels! Big turnover. Breakers 72 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Vukona gets the offensive rebound off a Webster miss, then draws the foul on a nice up fake. He hits both from the line. Breakers 72 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Another turnover for the Breakers ends in a layup for Trice. The lead is back up to 9. Is it over? Breakers 70 Taipans 79
Michael Blumel
Roar Pro
Q4 Loe fouls out after a battle with Worthington for the free throw rebound. Worthington hits 2 from the line. Clutch. Breakers 70 Taipans 77