The Melbourne Tigers spoiled CJ Bruton's 500th NBL game when they edged home for a 84-82 home win over the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday.
The loss meant the defending champions will return to Auckland winless from their two-match trip across the Tasman and boast just four wins from 12 matches.
Sitting on a three-match losing streak, the Tigers' shooting from the foul line could have proven costly, as they managed just 14 from 26.
But recently-signed import Mustapha Farrakhan, who finished with 20 points and six assists, stepped up in the closing seconds with two clutch efforts to secure the narrow win.
CJ Bruton, playing in his milestone match that has come over 17 seasons for six different clubs, contributed four points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals in his 20 minutes' game time.
The Breakers, backing up from their 91-95 loss to competition leaders Perth two days ago, trailed at the end of the first quarter as the Tigers took a 29-23 lead into the break.
The home team led for much of the second spell, but back-to-back three-pointers from Tom Abercrombie, followed by another three from Gary Wilkinson gave the Breakers a four-point lead two minutes out from halftime.
Leading 51-47 at the break, the Breakers slipped off the pace, star Melbourne forward Mark Worthington slamming home a quick five points to give the Tigers a 67-63 lead two minutes out from the three-quarter break.
The two-time Olympian is battling back problems with a slipped disc, but stepped up to bag a game-high 21 points, four rebounds and a couple of steals.
Ahead 71-68 with 10 minutes remaining, the Breakers just couldn't shake off a stubborn Tigers resurgence, and the home team dug in over the closing minutes to shut out the win.
For the Breakers, Wilkinson top-scored on 20, while Abercrombie contributed 18.
