The Sydney Kings moved to the top of the NBL table with a regulation 11-point win in Cairns on Thursday night.
The 81-70 victory sets up a blockbuster clash between the Kings and Melbourne United in Sydney on Sunday.
The visitors trailed early at the Cairns Convention Centre, but outscored the Taipans by 15 points in the second term to lead by 10 at the main break.
From there, the Kings were able to keep the bottom-placed Cairns side at arm's length for the remainder of the contest.
Sydney coach Andrew Gaze said he was not buying into talk that his side was the team to beat in the NBL.
"We are a long way from that," he said.
"In this league, it's very tight. Any time you can string some wins together it's encouraging because the league is so strong."
There were no standouts for the Sydney side, with all of their starting five playing key roles.
Andrew Bogut dominated the boards against fellow Boomers big man Nate Jawai, finishing with 15 rebounds to go with his 10 points.
Jawai was also able to have an influence for the Snakes, scoring seven and dragging down eight rebounds.
Jerome Randle topped the scoring with 22 points and did his job to contain Cairns import DJ Newbill (10), while Kings teammates Daniel Kickert and Brad Newley each hit 13.
American import Melo Trimble led the Taipans scoring with 14 points, but wasn't a major factor in the the game.
Gaze was pleased with his side's defensive efforts.
"Defence is usually the foundation for winning teams," he said.
"When required tonight, we were able to deal with some problems we were having and work our way through it."
Cairns found their energy from young forward Kuany Kuany, who netted 10 points, including an eight-point scoring run in the space of three minutes in the opening quarter.
And Taipans coach Mike Kelly was pleased with what he saw from the man who usually rides the bench.
"Kuany always gives 100 per cent effort so to see him come out and impact the game in a really big way ... was really good," he said.
"As I looked at the stats after the game I was like 'damn, thank God for Kuany.'"
Sydney's win made it five in a row and they are now on top of the ladder with a superior win-loss percentage.
The Kings host third-placed Melbourne United on Sunday in what should be sell out at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Taipans have now lost 12 in a row and will hit the road to play the 36ers in Adelaide on Saturday.
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