The Taipans have outlasted a valiant New Zealand Breakers fightback to score a 84-73 National Basketball League win at Cairns.

The Breakers fought back from a 17-point deficit at the final break to get within a point of the Taipans with less than four minutes left.

But strong shooting from the free throw line down the stretch helped the Taipans pull away to extend their season record to 2-0 in front of a sell out home crowd.

Top scorers for Cairns were Marcus Timmons with 21, Anthony Stuart (17) and Melvin Thomas (15).

Top scorer for New Zealand was Ben Melmeth and fellow forward Casey Frank who both had 16 points.

It was a reality check for New Zealand which opened its inaugural NBL season with a one point victory against Adelaide at Auckland on Wednesday night.

Cairns also began the season with victory on Wednesday night, ousting arch rivals the Crocodiles in Townsville 118-114.

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