NBA 2022/23: New Zealand Breakers survive last-quarter Taipans fightback to defend road record

But they had to overcome the mother of all fourth-quarter fightbacks from the home side, who proved their mettle in the back-and-forth affair.

The Breakers overcame a sluggish start, trailing by seven at the first break, on back of huge nights from Derek Pardon, Barry Brown Jnr and Brantley to improve to 6-1 on the road this season.

The trio had double-digits on the board by three-quarter time, and led all scorers for the night (Brantley 20pts, Brown Jnr 20 and Pardon 15).

It was the first time the Breakers have won two games in Cairns in one season since 2013.

Towering Cairns Kiwi Sam Waardenburg had another great night in orange, Keanu Pinder was dangerous while Tahjere McCall showed improvement as he returns from a knee injury.

It was always expected to be a tight clash, with the past four games between the teams decided by six points or less.

But the Breakers locked up on the defensive end and hit big shots through the middle half to open a comfortable advantage they held onto until the end.

PARDON ME, PINDER

Derek Pardon scored a points win over Keanu Pinder in a battle between two of the NBL’s best power forwards.

Pardon grabbed his sixth double-double of the campaign, and fourth in his past five games, as he led the Breakers’ fightback in the second.

He had 13 points and eight rebounds by halftime, and was an absolute handful of either side of the ball as he racked up an impressive statline of 15 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Pinder, meanwhile, came up with several crucial baskets as he showcased why he is so important to this Taipans team’s success.

He was the first Cairns player to reach double-digits, and finished with 14pts, 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal.

HISTORY REPEATS?

Cairns must learn to do a better job of defending their leads if they are to be a serious contender for this NBL championship.

The last time these two teams face doff in Cairns, the Taipans held the Breakers to just five first-quarter points and held an 11-point lead.

The ball flew more freely into the net on Friday, though Cairns looked the better side as they held a seven-point advantage.

That evaporated within six minutes, as the Breakers went on a 12-0 run to start the second term.

And while the Snakes showed plenty of fight, it wasn’t enough – and history will show a “L”.

HELPING HAND

Shannon Scott has outplayed the harshest of his critics, but there is one category which has stood him apart: his protection of the pill.

Before tip-off, he went 64 minutes without a turnover – and 16 assists.

In the win against Brisbane, Scott became the first Taipan since Liam Martin to record 10 assists without a turnover.

That hot run lasted four minutes into Friday’s clash when Will McDowell-White plucked a pass out of the air to end his run at 68 minutes.

Scott didn’t have the best night, dropping nine points, seven assists, three steals and four turnovers.

HOME WOES

Cairns Convention Centre is supposed to be a fortress.

Friday’s loss drops the Snakes to 1-3 on their home floor with a challenging match-up to come against the Kings on Monday night.

It’s great to win on the road, but the lack of success in familiar territory could hurt come March.

This was the first of a huge double header in Cairns, with the Taipans back in action on Monday when the league-leading Sydney Kings come to town.

There’s no rest for the Breakers, who travel back to Auckland on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Bullets at Spark Arena.