The New Zealand Breakers have bounced back from their first-up defeat at the Australian National Basketball League pre-season tournament to score a comfortable 77-57 win over the Cairns Taipans in Ipswich.
The Breakers defence held the Taipans to just 21 points combined for the second and third quarters in a dominant display by the reigning ANBL champions.
American import Gary Wilkinson led the Breakers with 22 points, while BJ Anthony added 11 and Alex Pledger had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Brad Hill was the best for the Taipans with 18 points, while Andrew Warren was the only other Cairns player in double-figures with 14.
Across the first three periods, the Breakers outscored Cairns 60-35.
The third-placed New Zealanders dominated the rebound count with a decisive 49-28 advantage and next face fourth-placed Gold Coast tonight in Brisbane.
