The New Zealand Breakers have lost their third match in a row, going down to the Perth Wildcats, 71-62 in Auckland on Friday night.
It was the Breakers' third defeat this season by league leaders Perth - the beaten grand finalists the last two years running.
The Breakers now face a difficult road trip in which the three-time defending champions play the top four teams in the Australian basketball competition.
With four wins and nine losses the Breakers are second to last on the ladder.