The Breakers have lost their second straight game at home and their second loss to the Sydney Kings as they fell to a 88-81 defeat in Auckland.
Tom Soares of the Kings Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sydney top the table with a 10 and 3 record, while the Breakers are second with an 11 and 5 record.
The Kings shook off eight fourth quarter turnovers to capitalise on a strong first three periods to hold out the Breakers with a massive Derrick Walton Jr late three instrumental in the 88-81 win.
It was a top-of-the-table clash to open Round 10 at Spark Arena and it was the defending champion Kings who were in control of the contest most of the way.
Sydney went on a 14-0 scoring streak midway through the first quarter on the way to putting up 34 opening period points. Another 10 straight points late in the first half kept the Kings on top by 12 at the main break.
The Kings advantage grew to 15 by three quarter-time, but the Breakers turned up the gas in the fourth quarter. They were able to force Sydney into eight turnovers and got as close as four points with two minutes to play.
However, Walton's three-pointer a minute later proved the killer blow and the Kings held on to win by seven to retain top spot with a 10-3 record. The Breakers are now 11-5 having lost their past two games at Spark Arena to Perth and now Sydney.
It was another standout performance for the Kings by Walton as he delivered 21 points and three assists while shooting 7/12 from the field and 4/6 from beyond the arc.
Izayah Le'afa knocked down 5/6 of three-point attempts for 17 points, four steals and three rebounds for the Breakers with Will McDowell-White joining him in the backcourt for 16 points and eight assists.
Barry Brown Jr also had 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals, Jarrell Brantley 12 points, four boards and three assists, and Dererk Pardon 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
Breakers coach Mody Maor was at least glad his team fought the game out to give themselves a chance late again against the Kings, but won't be accepting giving up 34 first quarter points.
"Last time we came back into the game because Xavier Cooks got hurt and we took advantage of it, that wasn't the case this time," Maor said.
"We played against the best version of the Sydney Kings and we played well in the second half, it's not the same thing. We didn't start the game with the right intensity and we didn't start the game with the right discipline on defence.
"We gave up 34 points in the first quarter. That's not something you can do and win against the defending champions."
The Breakers don't play again now until taking on the Perth Wildcats in Perth next Friday night.
