Cairns Taipans’ Mitch Young dunks against the Breakers Picture: Stewart McLean. Source: News Corp Australia

Second-placed Cairns Taipans dominated most facets to win 83-59, shutting down the Breakers’ offence most efficiently in the final quarter which they won 19-7.

The visitors’ win-loss record drops to 12-5, keeping them just ahead of Cairns (11-5) while Perth (10-5) round out a top-three who have opened a buffer on their rivals heading into Christmas. The result also snaps a three-game winning run for the Breakers who will struggle to remember when they last shot as poorly from outside the three-point arc.

They landed none of their 17 attempts, including five misses from usually free-scoring guard Corey Webster, who managed a bleak four points.

Rebounding was also a problem for the Breakers, who lost that facet 44-31.

Cairns’s only loss in seven previous home games this year was to the Breakers six weeks ago but that never looked like repeating as they went 22-16 clear after the first quarter and 44-33 by half-time.

Their scoring was led by guards Cameron Gliddon (18) and US import Scottie Wilbekin (15) while Mika Vukona (18) was the only visitor to reach double figures.

The Breakers are away to Sydney Kings next on Boxing Day.

●Seattle Storm forward and former WNBA most valuable player Lauren Jackson played her first competitive match in 11 months on the weekend, admitting she was “terrible” while scoring 13 points to lead the Canberra Capitals to victory in Australia.

The 33-year-old Jackson had knee and hip operations this year which prevented her from playing for Seattle and then Australia during the September world championships.

Agencies