NZ Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Photo: Photosport
The Breakers have crashed to a fourth straight loss in the N-B-L, beaten 103-100 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne on Saturday to remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.
After opening their season with victory over the Bullets, the Breakers have struggled for their best, also losing both games to NBA opponents on this month's two-fixture visit to the United States.
A late comeback wasn't enough for the visitors, who lost each of the first three quarters to trail 31-21, 60-48 and 84-68 at the breaks as their shortcomings at both ends of the court were exposed.
They were without key import Zylan Cheatham, who suffered a worrying leg injury during Thursday's 97-85 loss to Adelaide in Auckland on Thursday.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright was a Breakers standout, producing a game-high 33 points and eight assists.
He nearly inspired a late comeback as the visitors clicked to win the final quarter 32-19, having trailed by as much as 24 points midway through the third stanza.
Finn Delany scored 21 points while Mangok Mathiang pulled down nine rebounds.
Alan Williams top-scored for the Phoenix with 21, helping them to a team shooting percentage of 53 percent, which eclipsed the Breakers' 45 percent.
The Breakers will return to Auckland and face the Cairns Taipans on Friday.
- RNZ