MELBOURNE rained on the Taipans’ parade with a 99-82 NBL victory at the Cairns Convention Centre tonight.
With Cairns guard Aaron Grabau playing his 250th game for the Taipans and big man Nathan Jawai turning 21 on the night, the home crowd had turned out ready to celebrate.
However the visitors had other ideas with Chris Anstey, David Barlow and Daryl Corletto leading them to their fourth victory in as many games.
Cairns grabbed the early advantage overcoming a shaky start to lead 23-21 after the first period.
Successive three pointers to Gary Boodnikoff and Scott Cook midway through the second quarter blew the Taipans lead out to 39-28, and the home side appeared to be taking control of the match.
But the Tigers clawed their way back to trail 43-42 at half-time, scoring the final eight points of the second period.
Melbourne took control in the third quarter with Corletto sinking a series of three pointers as the Tigers went into the final period leading 71-61.
AAP
Source: foxsports.com.au
