Sydney are in firm position to retain second spot for the NBL finals after competing a season sweep of Cairns with a 87-77 win in far north Queensland.
Without star import duo Jaylen Adams and Jarell Martin, Xavier Cooks shouldered the load on Thursday night as the Kings suffocated the Taipans defensively to begin the second half, before holding off a late surge.
Cooks registered 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks whilst remaining disciplined afer falling into early foul trouble.
The Taipans were held to just six third-quarter points as the visitors lead grew to as high as 15.
Majok Deng hit a pair of three's from beyond the arc as Cairns fought back to narrow the deficit to six, but Sydney held them off for their 19th victory of the season.
The win leaves Sydney in prime position to finish second and secure home court advantage for the finals after their final game of the regular season against Illawarra on Sunday.
"Really proud of the whole group effort," Kings coach Chase Buford said.
"Our group, they really care for each other. It's never about me with anybody, it's always how can we help the team get a win.
"They (Cairns) defended, they pressured us like crazy all night. I'm really proud of the way our guys responded, especially in that second half."
For the Taipans, Tahjere McCall topscored with 22 points before fouling out late, while Keanu Pinder tallied his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 boards.
But coach Adam Forde lamented another third-quarter capitulation and said their fans deserve better based on the support they supply.
"We're too busy trying to reward ourselves, it's about time we started giving back to someone else," he told reporters.
"It's amazing the support we get in Cairns...but people coming up to us and they're congratulating us for a hard fought effort and I feel like, I thank you for the support but no, I want to set your standards higher.
"I want to give what this fan base and this community deserves."
