NZ Breakers have returned to their Australian NBL campaign with a 97-88 road loss to Melbourne United.
Melbourne guard Chris Goulding converted two outrageous three-pointers to break open a close contest in the dying moments, as the Auckland team continued their disjointed start to the new season.
After splitting their opening two games against Cairns Taipans and Brisbane Bullets, the Breakers embarked on a two-game NBA trip to the United States, where they lost pre-season games against Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz.
Back in the Australian competition, where they were beaten finalists last year, they got off to a slow start, trailling by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, before a 10-0 run gave them a one-point lead at halftime.
They led by six late in the third quarter and were still level at 74-74 with five minutes remaining, before Goulding heated up from long distance. He converted a fadeaway corner jumper from behind the backboard to trigger an eight-point run, before hitting an off-balance shot from the top of the arc, extending the lead to 11.
American Zylan Cheathem led all scorers with 30 points for the Breakers, including 9/10 free throws and 3/3 three-pointers, but he could not carry his team to victory.
Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright duelled with Tall Blacks guard Shea Ili, outscoring the Melbourne-based Kiwi 18-16, but fouling out in the final moments, as his team chased the win.
American Ian Clark paced United with 18 points, while four teammates managed 16 on a balanced scoresheet, as the tabletoppers improved to 6-1 for the season.
The Breakers are now 1-2 and host Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena on Thursday.
Melbourne United 97 (Clark 18, Travers 16, Goulding 16, Ili 16, Lual-Acuil Jr 16) NZ Breakers 88 (Cheatham 30, Jackson-Cartwright 18, Lamb 15)
