NZ Breakers have fallen to defeat in another overtime thriller, beaten 101-100 by Brisbane Bullets at Cairns.
Ten days after an overtime defeat to Perth Wildcats, the Breakers were again unable to secure victory from a winning position, as an Anthony Drmic three-pointer condemned the Kiwi side to their 16th defeat of the season.
The win came despite a double-double to Yanni Wetzell (23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists), and strong performances from captain Tom Abercrombie (21 points, two rebounds, one assist) and Chasson Randle (12 points, four assists).
For the Bullets, Robert Franks led the way with a huge 31 points and 11 rebounds, supported by double-figure hauls from Lamar Patterson (17 points, seven assists), Deng Deng (16 points, five rebounds), Drmic (15 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Jason Cadee (11 points, 11 assists).
The Breakers started as the stronger of the two sides, dominating the opening quarter to race out to a 12-2 lead and taking a 29-22 advantage at the end of the first period.
More impressive shooting from the Breakers saw that advantage swell to 57-46 at halftime, as they sought their first victory since February 14.
But the Bullets began to turn the screws in the third quarter, winning their first period of the game 22-18, even if the Breakers held a 75-68 advantage into the final quarter.
A 12-2 scoring run in the last quarter gave Brisbane the lead for the first time and they led 88-86 inside the final minutes.
Two free throws from Wetzell levelled the scores and send the match into overtime, but even leading 100-98 in the final seconds, Drmic's moment of brilliance sunk the Breakers to another defeat in a difficult campaign.
The loss was their straight third and leaves them in desperate need of victory heading into Sunday's clash against Cairns Taipans.
NZ Breakers 100 (Wetzell 23, Abercrombie 21, Randle 12) Brisbane Bullets 101 (Franks 31, Patterson 17, Deng 16)
