Corey Webster has produced a big shooting performance for the defending champion New Zealand Breakers to cruise to a 90-67 over Cairns in Auckland in a rematch of the NBL grand final.
Webster came away with a career-best haul of 35 points, including a run of three quick three-pointers in the opening quarter that took the Breakers into the lead for the first time.
It eclipsed his game-high 22 points in the home win over Sydney a week ago when he was making his first appearance of the season after an unsuccessful NBA trial with New Orleans.
There was also a major contribution on Wednesday night from forward Tai Wesley, who came off the bench to notch up 26 points and eight rebounds.
Point guard Cedric Jackson finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
For Cairns, Torrey Craig (17), Markel Starks (13) and Matt Burston (12) managed to score in double figures, with the experienced centre Burton also snaring nine rebounds.
But unlike the Breakers, who were eight from 18 from beyond the arc, the Taipans could manage just two out of 14 from distance.
The result at Vector Arena takes the Breakers' record for the season to 3-3, while the Taipans drop to 2-4.
Cairns began the contest in confident style, with Burston leading the way, and they were aided by some loose defence as they raced out to a 14-8 lead.
But after calling a time-out, the Breakers mounted their comeback, inspired by Webster's hat-trick of three-pointers.
The sides shared the second quarter, but the Taipans faded in the second half, during which they were outscored 48-30.
The Breakers are at home again in their next match in eight days, when they welcome Adelaide, who beat them in round one.
Before then, Adelaide host the Taipans on Saturday.
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