The Cairns Taipans have gone from embarrassing to emphatic, defeating the Melbourne Tigers 77-56 on Saturday night in Cairns to end the Victorians’ NBL post-season hopes.

The win comes 24 hours after a franchise-low 43 points against Townsville and keeps the Taipans in the hunt for their own finals run.

In front of nearly 5000 home fans Cairns put on a show, breaking out for a 27-point first quarter with Brad Hill a menace in transition and veteran Aaron Grabau making the hustle plays.

By halftime the Taipans already had 49 points, with point guard Jamar Wilson (25 points, 7 rebounds) making up for Friday’s quiet effort to lead the way.

In contrast Melbourne were held to just 31, Cairns’ defence locking up import Myron Allen’s use of the pick-and-roll and starving Cam Tragardh of opportunities.

The deficit blew out to 27 in the third period as the Tigers’ defensive work rate dropped alarmingly, Wilson scoring 11 points in the last seven minutes to put the boisterous crowd into party mode.

The Snakes’ starters clocked off early in the last, 10 Taipans playing more than 12 minutes as they coasted to another home victory.

Worryingly for the hosts though, both Ian Crosswhite and Wilson limped through the second half, Crosswhite only clocking 18 minutes.

Allen top-scored for Melbourne with 13 and Tragardh had 12, but the Tigers were out-rebounded 43-31 and never showed the fight required after Cairns’ frenetic start.