The Cairns Taipans have beaten the Sydney Kings 98-72 on the road to consolidate their hold on top spot over the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian basketball league.
The Breakers were outright top before Saturday night's 79-71 loss at the Townsville Crocodiles, which helped the Taipans back into first position.
Cedric Jackson Photo: PHOTOSPORT
And Cairns didn't waste their opportunity to extend their lead on Sunday, coming back from a first-quarter deficit to comfortably beat the Kings, whose playoffs hopes now look to be over.
The Sydneysiders are sixth, with the top four making the finals. The Breakers, Taipans and Perth have already qualified, so now it's down to Melbourne and Adelaide for the last playoffs place.
Townsville are out of playoff contention in seventh place, but showed no mercy in their win over the Breakers in their home gym.
Todd Blanchfield hit 27 points and collected nine rebounds for the Crocs.
The Breakers had trouble with their shooting with guards Cedric Jackson and Corey Webster both struggling from the field, Jackson making only five of 16 and Webster five of 18.
Both finished with 14 points, while captain Mika Vukona had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Breakers head home to take on the third-placed Adelaide 36ers on Thursday and then travel to Perth to play the Wildcats on Sunday.
