The New Zealand Breakers have lost their second straight NBL basketball game in Australia, going down in Cairns to the Taipans 86-85.
Again it was close and again, new guard Kerron Johnson top-scored for the champions, with 18 points but his opposite Cam Gliddon led the home side to the victory with 24 points.
Breakers veteran CJ Bruton had the chance to win the game at the death with a three-point shot but he missed.
The loss is the second on the road in two days for the Breakers following Friday's 94-84 defeat to the Townsville Crocs.
Elsewhere Gary Ervin's 24 points led his Adelaide 36Ers to a 97-91 win over the Wollongong Hawks at Adelaide Arena.
The Breakers are sixth in the eight-team league and have played one more game than any other side. Their arch-rivals the Perth Wildcats lead the competition with two wins from two games.
