Shea Ili was thrust into the starting lineup, and DJ Newbill was asked to carry far more of the offensive load, and they stepped up in the first half to stay in touch with the smooth Taipans offence.
Cairns were cashing in on their impressive ball movement, with interior passing and off-ball cuts creating opportunities and catching the Breakers slightly unaware.
In comparison, the Breakers were struggling to create clean looks, and fell into an early deficit. In the first half, the Breakers' threes weren't dropping, and Cairns built a ten point lead, but the Breakers guards brought them back.
Ili (14 points) and Newbill (25) picked up the slack without Sosa, combining for 11-13 shooting in the first half to keep them the Breakers in the hunt, and Newbill continued to shine after the interval, starting to find his shot from deep as the Breakers built an eight point lead.
However, no other Breaker reached double digits, and they struggled to get production up front, with their three centres combining for two points in 35 minutes of action.
Conversely, Newbill's opposite, Cam Gliddon, came up clutch. Gliddon took control in the fourth quarter, and a late run clinched the game for Cairns.
Gliddon, who ended with 20 points on just eight shots, scored eight straight points as Cairns went from being down to holding a six point lead, and he then came up with a key defensive stop as the Taipans ran away with the contest in the final period to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Taipans 81 (Gliddon 20, Smith 12)
Breakers 71 (Newbill 25, Ili 14).
HT: 41-37.
