8 Dec 2013

Breakers lose another tight one

6:15 pm on 8 December 2013

It went down to the wire in the New Zealand Breakers' Australian National Basketball League clash with the Tigers in Melbourne - but the three-time defending champions again came up short in a tight game, losing 84-82.

CJ Bruton became the 12th player to reach 500 appearances in the league but the veteran guard's last-second would-be matchwinner was well short.

The Breakers trailed 29-23 after the first quarter but a big second quarter swing saw the visitors come back to lead the Tigers 51-47 at half-time.

The Auckland club led 71-68 heading into the fourth quarter.

But it all counts for nothing and the Breakers go to a four-win, eight-loss record.

It doesn't get any easier - their next game is against championship leaders the Perth Wildcats on Friday at Auckland's Vector Arena, it's their last home game of the year and the Breakers only return home again in late January.