Cairns have made it four wins from their past five NBL outings, getting the job done late on the New Zealand Breakers behind Keanu Pinder's full repertoire of skill.
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The Taipans (8-14) led up until midway through the third quarter when the Breakers (5-18) turned the clamps on defensively.
But Pinder played provider for his side as they ran away in the fourth term to win 87-77.
Fresh off a career-high 21 points in Cairns' win over South East Melbourne Phoenix, Pinder had 13 points at the main break and although only managing six more in the second term, his passing from the block was critical to the Taipans' offence.
Struggling to score and with poor shot clock management, Scott Machado bailed the Taipans out offensively, but when they found their sets it was Pinder who provided with six assists as well stellar activity on the glass.
The 26-year-old finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists while containing Breakers big man Yannick Wetzell (24 points) with his physicality on the defensive end.
"There's very few people in the league, let alone Australian players that can do what he does on the court," Taipans coach Adam Forde said of Pinder.
"His level of maturity and how much he's grown; he's got ambition,
"There's no reason why he can't achieve a position on the Australian national team, that's what he wants to do and we want to help provide that platform for him to get there."
For the Breakers, it was another tough night at the office as they slipped to their fifth consecutive defeat and placed firmly at the bottom of the NBL ladder with difficult games to come as the 2022 season comes to a close.
Wetzell was at his imposing best in the interior, while Next Star Ousmane Dieng had a brilliant showing before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Dieng had 13 of their 18 first-quarter points and went into the main break 6/10 from the field before a quiet second half.
The 18-year-old is widely tipped to be selected high in the 2022 NBA draft and coach Dan Shamir said it's been a pleasure watching his game develop.
"It feels like he's been stepping it up every game," Shamir said.
"It just feels like he's getting better from game to game, so at least we have five more games to enjoy him."
Australian Associated Press
