The NZ Breakers have fallen to their third straight ANBL loss after the Tasmania JackJumpers proved too strong at Hobart on Boxing Day.
The second-placed Breakers were playing their first game in almost three weeks, and battled hard, but couldn't prevent the home team from taking out the 93-82 win.
Their task wasn't made any easier without the services of Will McDowell-White, Rob Loe, and Rayan Rupert, but they found their range from three.
They shot 12/26 for the game, compared to Tasmania's 8/29, but the JackJumpers were far superior inside the paints and on the boards.
NZ were forced into 18 turnovers, which the JackJumpers capatalised on by scoring 20 points to pin the Breakers back.
Izayah Le'afa was the Breakers' best for the evening, scoring 21 points, as well as five assists and four rebounds.
American imports Barry Brown Jr (16) and Jarrell Brantley (16) combined for 32 points, with veteran Tom Abercrombie recording 11 with 3/4 from the three-point line.
The Breakers trailed by just seven points with over six minutes to play after a pair of threes by Abercrombie, but that was as close as they got.
Tasmania's Jack McVeigh hit a three-pointer and a couple of late scores to secure the home victory in front of the 4269 faithful supporters at MyState Bank Arena.
The Breakers will play their next ANBL game against the Perth Wildcats at New Plymouth on January 4.
JackJumpers 93 (Magette 16, Doyle 14, Krslovic 14)
Breakers 82 (Le'afa 21, Brown Jr 16, Brantley 16)
