Cairns scored a convincing 104-87 NBL win over Melbourne at the Cairns Convention Centre.

It was not a productive night for the Tigers who were not helped by poor shooting and a lack of production from Lanard Copeland who was kept to just eight points, well below his season average of 14.3.

Cairns had six players in double figures, with Chris Burgess the best with a game-high 33 points, Aaron Grabau 16 and Anthony Stewart 16, while for Melbourne only Andrew Gaze with 28, Dave Thomas 20 and David Stiff 12 made double figures.

The win improved Cairns' season to 4-11 and left Melbourne with the same record but the Tigers hold a 15-2 advantage in the head-to-head between the two clubs.

The Taipans did their best to blow a 12-point 50-38, half-time lead, and allowed the Tigers to pull within six at three-quarter time with veteran Andrew Gaze sinking a long three on the buzzer to make the score 75-69.

But the fourth quarter belonged to Cairns, as the Taipans simply refused to let Melbourne find any offensive rhythm, winning the quarter 28-18.

Cairns big man Chris Burgess had a field day in the absence of Mark Bradtke as he bagged 33 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.

Leading into the game, Tigers coach Lindsay Gaze warned his players Burgess would be the dangerman.

"We always knew it was going to be tough without Mark (Bradtke)," Gaze said.

"I told our fellows I think that the game would be very different with the emphasis going to Burgess and he had a great game. He had his way with us."

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