The New Zealand Breakers have kept alive their hopes of finishing top of the NBL table with a nail-biting 89-87 overtime win over the Perth Wildcats.
Cedrick Jackson hit a half court three-pointer in the final second of the second period of overtime to snatch a win that ensured the Breakers will go into next weekend's showdown against ladder leaders the Cairns Taipans with a chance to jump into the No.1 position.
Jermaine Beal had hit two free throws to give Perth the lead but Jackson's heroics in the clutch just seconds later maintained the Breakers' slim hopes of winning the minor premiership.
The lead changed hands 11 times in the two periods of overtime after scores had been tied at 68-all at the end of regular time.
Cairns will go into the final round with 20 wins, one ahead of New Zealand.
But because Cairns have had the better of the three encounters between the two this year, the Breakers must beat the Taipans by 26 or more in next Sunday's clash at Vector Arena to grab top spot.
On Thursday night, New Zealand blew a chance to go equal first when they went down to the Adelaide 36ers 93-88 at home.
The 36ers scored the last eight points of the game to run over the top of the Breakers, with Jamar Wilson leading the way for Adelaide with 26 points and three assists.
The Taipans kept a hold of top spot on Friday night when they cruised to a 84-62 win over Melbourne, knocking United out of finals contention.
Torrey Craigs starred for Cairns, scoring 21 points and making nine rebounds in a standout performance coming off the bench.
"I'm really proud of the guys," Taipans head coach Aaron Fearne said.
"Torrey came into the game and made some plays and as a group we defended really well."
Going into the match United needed to win the match to give themselves a hope of staying in touch with fourth-placed Adelaide.
Melbourne captain Mark Worthington vented his frustrations after the side blew a promising start to the season.
"I don't know how else to put it but I'm p***** off, I'm exhausted and spent," Worthington said.
"But we've got to salvage something out of this season."
Melbourne ended their North Queensland swing with a 105-68 thumping at the hands of Townsville on Saturday.
Wollongong defeated the Sydney Kings 75-73 in the battle of the bottom two teams.
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