Basketball On The Internet.

MAJOR defensive plays by Nathan Sobey and Tyrell Harrison saved Brisbane from an Illawarra side now capable of competing with anyone after Cairns gave NBL leader Melbourne a thorough spanking with Patrick Miller outstanding and seldom-used import Josh Roberts huge against United's talented bigs.

Roberts, who has been anchored to the Taipans' bench for most of the season was given his first start and rewarded coach Adam Forde's faith with 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting, five rebounds an assist and three official blocks, though you'd be forgiven if you thought it was four.

He was a huge presence and difference-maker in a match Cairns owned from the tip-off, led by Miller and Tahjere McCall.

Miller paired 32 points at 75 per cent alongside 10 assists against the NBL's best defensive team, having his way with Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova ... and you know they work their tails off.

McCall's 23 points included 13-of-16 from the free throw line, the refs calling 61 fouls, which translated into 71 free throws.

Cairns was at its absolute best, despite Delly creating lob dunks for his teammates and Chris Goulding dishing one of the slickest assists of the season, a behind-the-back bounce pass for an easy basket.

Roberts was strong, Bobi Klintman had his moments as did Jonah Antonio, the Taipans racing to a 31-17 lead after one, then Miller on a roll for 21 first-half points underpinned a 67-51 lead.

It was Cairns' best first half, the season's best first half and the most points accumulated in a half by any team against a Dean Vickerman-coached NBL side EVER.

United never surrendered, fighting this out to the finish despite having to haul back from a 21-point deficit. They got it to seven, Goulding nailing 5-of-8 threes in his 23 points and Dellavedova sticking four in his 21 points.

But despite putting the squeeze on the Orange, Cairns always had the sweet response, Bul Kuol's solitary triple also a back-breaker. 

CAIRNS TAIPANS 115 (Miller 32, McCall 23, Roberts 22, Armstrong 10; Roberts 5 rebs; Miller 10 assts) d MELBOURNE UNITED 103 (Goulding 23, Dellavedova 21, Travers 14, Hukporti 13, Ili 12; Lual-Acuil 9 rebs; Dellavedova 9 assts) at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 9,384

IT will be cold comfort for Illawarra that it should have won in Brisbane and great relief again for the Bullets that they avoided being over-run yet again and could preserve a hard-won victory.

The Hawks looked ready to pinch this one with scores locked 69-69 when Aron Baynes was rightly tech fouled for a blatant off-the-ball flop.

Angry Aron departed, Tyler Harvey converted the free throw and Justin Robinson sank a 3-pointer, the Hawks out 73-69 with 4:56 left.

Eveready Isaac White dragged Brisbane back level, first with an intercept which he turned into a fast break basket despite gentle pressure from Sam Froling.

Then he outwitted Harvey with a back-cut from the wing which Harrison fed for an easy layup and a tied ballgame.

Gary Clark muscled Illawarra ahead again at 75-73, the game squared away once more when Harrison put back an offensive board off a White miss.

A few bad shots later and Sam McDaniel stuck a patented mid-range jumper to put Brisbane ahead 77-75.

Nathan Sobey checked back in and was rewarded with free throws on what could just as easily have been a charge call. After he made the second for 78-75, he chased down Harvey in the corner, athletically swatting away his 3-point attempt for the tie. It was big.

With a half-minute left, Clark made a divine spin move to the hoop and the Hawks were at 77-78 and had a chance to win when Brisbane's offence came up empty.

Clark drove again, was met by Harrison with his arms extended high, bouncing into him as his shot for the win went unrewarded.

Of course there still was time, apparently, for the Grand Master of Time, Vaughan Mayberry, to consult with officials before determining that yes, as everyone already knew, the game was, in fact, over. Clearly there just had not been sufficient "Coach's Challenge" screen time in this one. 

BRISBANE BULLETS 78 (Smith 16, McDaniel 11, Baynes, Harrison 10; Harrison 8 rebs; Sobey 6 assts) d ILLAWARRA HAWKS 77 (Robinson, Clark 13, Froling 11, Lee 10; Clark 9 rebs; Olbrich, Robinson 4 assts) at Nissan Arena. Crowd: 3,572