The New Zealand Breakers have held off the Perth Wildcats 72-68 in a defensive slugfest in Auckland to send the NBL grand final series to a decider.
The defending champions - aiming to win a fifth title in six years - held their nerve in a tense final quarter on Friday night after leading by up to 11 points early in the second half.
The Wildcats, who won game one 82-76 in Perth on Wednesday, will return to their home court for the third and final game on Sunday.
A rugged, foul-heavy affair was never in safekeeping for the Breakers, who raced 9-0 clear but found it increasingly difficult to counter Perth's zone defence.
The hosts were forced to shoot from outside, sinking five of 22 three-point attempts, with point guard Cedric Jackson (1/10) off-target.
However, Jackson was the game's most influential figure, the American scoring 13 points and recording game-high figures for rebounds (nine), assists (eight) and steals (two).
Turnovers and poor free-throw shooting, which have haunted the Breakers all season, again crippled their offence.
However, their defence was enormous, dominating the rebound count and reducing the Wildcats to 35 per cent shooting success from the field.
Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson was a furious figure through most of the game, directing his ire at match officials as his team's foul count grew.
Courtside microphones captured his frustration early in the second half.
"They're getting the whole game called their way. It's unbelievable," he said.
Despite their outside shooting woes, it was a three-pointer to off-colour guard Corey Webster with 18 seconds remaining which pushed the Breakers four points clear.
Webster shot just 2-of-13 from the field, with home side's scoring load taken up by Jackson, Thomas Abercrombie (12) and 11 each to Alex Pledger and Tai Wesley.
Six-time champions Perth were unable to establish the same inside presence as game one.
Jermaine Beal produced a game-high 20 points but was guilty of a crucial turnover in the wake of Webster's match-winning three.
Bench forward Jesse Wagstaff had 13 points but the other key Wildcats failed to match their output from Wednesday.
