The Melbourne Tigers tore the Perth Wildcats' hearts out inside the first six minutes, then spent three and a half quarters stomping all over them in a 14-point NBL savaging at the State Netball Centre.

The Tigers' 106-92 destruction of the team directly above them on the ladder sounded a huge warning to the rest of the league of the depth and power the defending champions possess.

Despite their most regular route to the basket Chris Anstey being held to just seven points, six other Tigers scored in double figures and six managed more than five rebounds.

Stephen Hoare led the Tigers' scorers with 21, while Anstey found other ways to contribute with nine rebounds and six assists.

After conceding the first basket of the game, the Tigers then piled on 17 unanswered points to end the match between the second and third-placed teams as a contest by midway through the opening quarter.

Perth killed themselves with seven turnovers in the first quarter - a combination of blanket-like Tigers defence and the Wildcats' own inability to hit a target.

Melbourne also added to the misery by shooting 60 per cent from the field in the first half, and out rebounding the Wildcats 48-35 for the match.

They didn't let up at any point, leading by 15 points at quarter-time, 19 at halftime and 17 at three-quarter time in a performance to erase memories of a lack-lustre win over struggling West Sydney last weekend.

Melbourne led by as much as 22 points late in the match before tipping out its bench, with Perth reducing the margin as a result.

The Tigers now move to an 11-5 win-loss record, equal with the Wildcats, and have a nine-day break before tackling the Sydney Kings away.

The Wildcats must regroup by the weekend for a clash with New Zealand in Perth on Sunday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP