Matt Mooney led the scoring with 24 points while also dishing out eight assists and grabbing three steals. Photo: Photosport
The Breakers staved off a strong Cairns Taipans finish to win their lower-table NBL game 99-92 in Auckland.
In the penultimate fixtures of the season for two teams out of the playoff race, the Breakers emerged on top through a superior offensive display through the two middle quarters.
Up 79-64 going into the final stanza, the last-placed visitors closed the gap but couldn't deny the Auckland outfit their 10th win over a modest campaign.
A balanced scoring effort and strong interior presence proved decisive for the Breakers, who were without injured guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright.
Matt Mooney led the scoring with 24 points while also dishing out eight assists and grabbing three steals.
Mojave King added 16 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while Tacko Fall imposed himself inside with 14 points, hauling down nine rebounds in just 15 minutes on court.
The hosts shot an impressive 61 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the three-point line in one of their more accurate outings of the season.
Head coach Petteri Koponen applauded his side's performance.
"We played with our heads and were under control most of the game. It was a solid 40 minutes," he said.
"It's not always easy at this point of the season but the guys turned up, took care of business and played the right way.
"We want to finish the right way in front of our home fans. Playing here at Spark is a really amazing experience and we are looking forward to doing it one more time."
The Breakers are at home for their final game of the season, against the league-leading Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night.
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