The Breakers' hopes of a fourth successive Australian NBL title took a significant blow with a 98-96 loss to the Sydney Kings.
In a tension-filled match on Saturday, the visiting Breakers let a nine-point lead midway through the third quarter slip and couldn't make the most of the final possession when victory could have been claimed.
The result leaves the three-time champions in sixth place with an 8-12 win-loss record while fourth-placed Sydney (10-9) further cemented themselves in the final playoff berth.
It means the Auckland-based club will need to win most, if not all, of their last eight games in a 28-game season and will probably need other results to go their way over the next six weeks.
Defeat couldn't be blamed on their US forward Gary Wilkinson, who scored an NBL career-high 33 points, including five-from-seven three-point shots.
With fellow-big men Mika Vukona and Casey Frank in foul trouble, Wilkinson stepped up, most notably in the third quarter when four successive long-range shots pushed the visitors clear.
However, he also spent time on the bench, allowing the Kings to close the margin to 77-76 going into the final quarter.
The teams went shot for shot over the closing stages, leaving the Breakers trailing by one point as they took the final possession.
However, guard Kerron Johnson's shot with five seconds remaining came up short and the hosts held on, leaving Breakers coach Dean Vickerman to rue missed opportunities.
"We played well enough to win, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"We had shots to win it tonight, but they didn't go for us."
Johnson was otherwise impressive, producing 18 points and 10 assists while Tom Abercrombie (12) and Daryl Corletto (10) also contributed.
Dynamic import Sam Young top-scored for the Kings with 22, looking especially dangerous early on as his team led 26-21 and 53-50 through each of the first two quarters.
The Breakers are home to fifth-placed Cairns on Friday.
