New Zealand Breakers cemented themselves on top of the NBL ladder after overpowering Sydney Kings for their fifth straight win.
The Breakers sit atop the pile with a 9-3 record, but had to fight back from a double-digit deficit in the first quarter to get past the Kings 107-96.
Former NBL most valuable player Cedric Jackson led the way for the Breakers, flirting with a triple-double on the back of 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while Kings import Josh Childress fought hard in his team's loss putting up 24 points while grabbing nine boards with five dimes.
But it was a combination of deadly three-point shooting, 15-of-29 from beyond the arc, and role players, who outscored their Kings counterparts 43 to 21, which pushed the Breakers to their fifth consecutive victory.
"We are just being unselfish and aggressive," Jackson told NBL.com.
"We have been working hard on our offence and the biggest thing to help with that is to lock down our defence when a team is rolling like they were in the first half."
Elsewhere, Perth Wildcats (8-3) continue to keep the pressure on the Breakers, thrashing top-of-the-table challengers Cairns Taipans 84-66 at home.
Coming off a three game road trip, the Wildcats dominated the Taipans (7-4) from the opening tip scoring freely to take a 31-10 lead into the first break, a lead they did not relinquish.
Perth import DeAndre Daniels was the catalyst for the Wildcats, putting up 10 points in the first quarter alone on the way to 22 points and eight rebounds.
Alex Loughton was the lone bright spot for the Taipans, putting up 21 points while the team combined for an awful 35 per cent shooting from the floor.
Melbourne United (6-5) fought a late resurgence from Adelaide 36ers to claim an important home win which puts some breathing room between them and play-off rivals Sydney in the race for fourth spot.
Jordan McRae continues to lead the league in scoring, with a 23 point game against the 36ers, while forward Daniel Kickert poured in 21 points.
Wollongong Hawks (2-9) picked up their second win of the season, beating Townsville Crocodiles 90-76 at home.
Forward Tim Coenraad carried the Hawks with 24 points, while the Crocodiles missed the chance push above .500 (4-6).
Adelaide were then condemned to their fifth straight loss on the bounce, going down to the Sydney Kings at home 83-90.
After beginning the season 3-2, including a win over league leaders New Zealand, the 36ers have sunk to second bottom of the NBL ladder.
The Kings meanwhile improved to 5-5 and stay in the hunt for a play-off place in fifth.
Cairns (8-4) took care of business against local rivals Townsville (4-7) in round eight's late game, solidifying their top three standing with the 91-82 win.
Cameron Tragardh scored 22 points off-the-bench while forward Alex Loughton chipped in with 21.
