South East Melbourne Phoenix have survived a massive late scare to clinch a tense 103-100 victory over the fast-finishing New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena.
The Phoenix were eyeing off a percentage pile-on when they led by a whopping 26 points on Saturday before the bottom-placed, injury-hit Breakers produced a brave rearguard to almost pinch a miracle.
The Phoenix's big four - Alan Williams (21 points, 13 rebounds), Mitch Creek (20 points), Gary Browne (18 points, eight assists) and Will Cummings (16 points, all in the first half) - led the way but the final stages got too close for comfort.
Electrifying American point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (33 points, eight assists) and Finn Delany (21 points) were instrumental in the 32-19 fourth-quarter fightback from the Breakers, who were brave despite succumbing to their fourth successive defeat.
"We were one lucky bounce away from winning this game," NZ coach Mody Maor said. "Our guys are doing everything they can and everything I ask of them everyday. "They are working as hard as can be. Our fans should be proud of the level of effort our guys put in."
They were without import power forward Zylan Cheatham, who suffered a broken foot in last Thursday's loss to Adelaide, and Williams duly proved a beast in the low block against the undersized Anthony Lamb.
Behind Williams' dominance and Browne's ball-handling and playmaking wizardry, the Phoenix pulled ahead 31-21 at quarter-time.
Cummings scored at will in the second stanza before Creek inspired a 16-0 third-quarter burst for the home side, whose advantage swelled to 80-54.
NZ reverted to a zone defence and centre Mangok Mathiang impacted at both ends as the Breakers went 17-2 either side of three-quarter-time to haul themselves back into the contest.
Quicksilver Cartwright-Jackson poured in 10 points inside three minutes to reduce the margin to three points down the stretch before Williams' hook and Browne's free throw iced it narrowly.
"It was frustrating to see the lead dwindle," Phoenix coach Mike Kelly said. "But it's a win. The guys are going in the right direction. "I'm not disappointed, I'm stoked."
