NZ Breakers' struggles in the 2023/24 ANBL season have continued, as they fell 97-80 defeat against Tasmania JackJumpers on home court at Spark Arena.
After their first 13 games of the season, the Breakers sit second from bottom on the ladder, with nine losses and just four wins - ahead of last-placed Adelaide 36ers on points differential alone.
Approaching every game as a must-win, the Breakers lost the first three quarters against the JackJumpers and claimed the last by just two points to be beaten comfortably.
That run included losing the second quarter 23-8, arguably costing them any chance of victory.
Guard Jordan Crawford led the way for Tasmania with a game-high 30 points, while Jack McVeigh added 20. Will Magnay came away with a double-double for his night's work, with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Those performances came without import Milton Doyle, who was absent to attend the funeral of his father in the US.
For the Breakers, Parker Jackson-Cartwright again stood tall with 25 points, while fellow import Anthony Lamb scored 15.
While the Breakers had more players scoring in double figures (five to four), Tasmania's collective strength ultimately proved worth its weight.
Tasmania JackJumpers 97 (Crawford 30, McVeigh 25, Deng 14, Magnay 12) NZ Breakers 80 (Jackson-Cartwright 25, Lamb 15, Mathiang 11)
