Cairns trounce Breakers and now look towards Kings

Everyone in orange is thinking the same thing: bring on the NBL championship favourite Sydney Kings.

Scott Machado and Jarrod Kenny congratulate DJ Newbill on making a basket in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the New Zealand Breakers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE.

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Bring on the championship favourite Sydney Kings.

The Cairns Taipans are in their most outstanding run of form since Mike Kelly took over as coach, defeating New Zealand on Friday night, and a match-up with the all-conquering Kings now is the challenge.

The Snakes have bounced back stunningly from last season’s wooden spoon, downing both grand finalists Perth and Melbourne earlier this season, having now claimed four victories from their past five outings.

Breakers' Sek Henry puts everything on the line to stop Taipans' Cameron Oliver in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the New Zealand Breakers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Cairns had struggled against the battlers of the competition for much of the campaign but put an end to that on Friday night at home, knocking over the Breakers 108-90

They skipped out to a double-digit lead inside the first term and kept it for much of the evening, leading by 17 at halftime.

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The Snakes shared the offensive load with co-captain DJ Newbill (20 points), import point guard Scott Machado (22 points) and stretch forward Majok Deng (20 points) all taking advantage of the Kiwi’s lacklustre defence.

Cairns put up 61 in the first two terms, which is the equal highest half time score by any NBL team this season.

Bamaga product Nate Jawai went back into the starting five and played himself into some form, getting mostly whatever he liked around the rim.

Taipans' Majok Deng takes the ball to the hoop in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the New Zealand Breakers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Import swing man Glen Rice Jr (30 points) was a one man offensive machine for the visitors and was not shy either, letting it fly at every opportunity.

Former Snake Rob Loe made his return from a fractured skull and put in an encouraging effort for the Kiwi’s.

The Kings host Cairns from 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

Originally published as Cairns trounce Breakers and now look towards Kings