7 Feb 2016

Breakers maintain playoff push

8:06 pm on 7 February 2016

The New Zealand Breakers have beaten the visiting Cairns Taipans 85-74 to keep their hopes alive of defending their Australian basketball league title.

Breakers' Alex Pledger beats Taipans' Matthew Burston to score.

Breakers' Alex Pledger beats Taipans' Matthew Burston to score. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The win sees the Breakers climb back into the top four, as they battle fourth-placed Adelaide for the final playoff spot, with two regular season games remaining.

The Breakers led 45-44 at half-time in Auckland after trailing Cairns 28-21 following the first quarter.

The home side only led 60-59 heading into the final quarter, but showed more desire down the stretch to run away with their third straight victory.

Swingman Tom Abercrombie top-scored with 19 points, shooting guard Corey Webster scored 18 points while point guard Cedric Jackson grabbed a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists.

The Illawarra Hawks, the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United have already qualified for the post-season.