The New Zealand Breakers have lost their second match of the Australian National Basketball League to fellow favourites the Tigers in Melbourne.
The home side won 86-81 after the Breakers dominated early to lead by seven points at the end of the first quarter and 43-42 at the long break.
Then new signing Mark Worthington stepped up for Melbourne with five rebounds and a block for the quarter as the Tigers kept the visitors to 14 points for the quarter, taking a three-point lead into the final stretch and seeing it home by five points.
Breakers veteran Tony Ronaldson was the game's top scorer with 21 points.