Barry Brown was back for the Breakers and leading the scoring for the visitors in a close win. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The New Zealand Breakers waited until late in the game to take the lead over the Cairns Taipans and sneak a 68-64 win in the NBL.
Playing their fifth game in 16 days, the Breakers did not score for the first seven minutes of the game in Far North Queensland as the Taipans demonstrated the tough defence which has been a hallmark of their four wins this season.
The Taipans took a 32-23 lead into half-time but the Breakers had reduced the deficient to five points by the end of the third quarter.
Shots were not dropping as both teams were shooting in the low 30 percent range by the second half.
The Breakers took the lead for the first time in the game with just over six minutes left in the final quarter before the lead changed four times and the visitors claimed their fourth win of the season.
The result left the table-topping Taipans still waiting for their first home win of the season, after being dominant on the road.
Import Barry Brown returned from injury for his first minutes since the second game of the season for the Breakers as the Auckland-based club came closer to getting their full squad fit and healthy.
Brown was named player of the match for his 24 points.
Fellow import Jarrell Brantley was the Breakers next best scorer with 13 points.
For the Taipans Dj Hogg top-scored with 25 points and Bul Kuol scored 13.
The Breakers next play the Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide on Friday.