American Jeremiah Martin has led NZ Breakers to their second win of the Australian NBL season, topscoring with 22 points in an 82-75 comeback over Sydney Kings.
The Auckland franchise, based in Hobart during the COVID-19 pandemic, trailled by as many as 10 points with five minutes remaining, before unleashing an 18-1 outburst that carried them past their rivals to victory.
American guard Peyton Siva hit a three-pointer to give the Breakers their first lead of the game with 2m 50s left and Tall Blacks forward Finn Delany also struck from the arc to put them ahead for good at 78-75.
But coach Dan Shamir also played his part, challenging and successfully overturning a midcourt charging call on Martin that would have given the Kings possession with 21 seconds to play and a chance to level the game from long distance.
Delany added 21 points, including five three-pointers, and nine rebounds, while Siva had 17 points, five assists and three steals.
American Xavier Cooks paced the Kings with 19 points and 13 boards.
After opening their season with six consecutive losses, the Breakers broke their drought against Brisbane Bullets last week and gave defending champions Melbourne United all they could handle in defeat on Friday.
Still at the foot of the NBL ladder, they can continue their improved form against Cairns Taipans next Sunday.
NZ Breakers 82 (Martin 22, Delany 21, Siva 17, Besson 12, Wetzell 10) Sydney Kings 75 (Cooks 19, Vasiljevic 13, Martin 11, Adams 10)
