Cairns won the battle of the NBL cellar-dwellers with a 100-86 home win over the New Zealand Breakers.

The Taipans led at every change, ruining any hope New Zealand import Marcus Timmons had of exacting revenge over the club that sacked him only two weeks ago.

The Taipans got a strong performance from import centre Chris Burgess, who completed what has now become almost a routine double double with 30 points and 18 boards.

He was well supported by fellow big man Tony Rampton with 16 points and point guard Nathan Crosswell with 14.

New Zealand's best was Aaron Olsen with 19 points, while Ben Pepper with 18 and Lindsay Tait with 15 were also double figure scorers.

Cairns jumped out to a six-point lead at quarter time (29-23), and then built on the margin in the second term to take a 14-point lead into the main break (49-35).

New Zealand closed the gap to ten at the last break (73-63), before the home side pulled away again to win by 14.

The result leaves both sides with six wins, with the Taipans still last courtesy of their 12 losses compared to New Zealand's ten.

Taipans coach Guy Molloy said a pre-game address from Cairns chairman John O'Brien had a positive effect on the team.

O'Brien reaffirmed the board's support of the coaching staff and the playing roster, saying everyone's jobs were safe as long as they stayed on target for a playoff berth.

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