IN WHAT was one of the most entertaining games of the season, a desperate New Zealand Breakers were left heartbroken at home by the hands of Bryce Cotton, who hit the game-winning step back three to win the game for the Adelaide 36ers, 112-110.

The score was tight throughout the entire game, with no team taking a steady lead, and that led to Cotton having the ball in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, the score being 93 a piece. While he did manage to get to the basket, a last-second contested layup would miss, taking the game into overtime.

In overtime, once again the teams were trading buckets, no team building a lead as big shots were consistently being made. At the end of overtime, Cotton was given the ball from the inbounds, in search of redeeming himself for his fourth quarter miss. With Adelaide being down 110-109, the five-time MVP would step back against Sam Mennenga and convert the three-point shot right on the buzzer to win the game.

Karim Lopez had a career high 21 points, also securing 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Throughout the entire game, he stayed consistently aggressive, finishing strong at the basket, which helped him go to the free-throw line five times.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright put up another double-double, with 21 points and 10 assists, further proving his case as one of the best guards in the league, and the best playmaker and offensive facilitator in the competition, only second to Cotton. Izaiah Brockington showed out with a 21-point performance, giving a deadly scoring punch whenever the Breakers needed a basket. The third player to record a double-double in this game for New Zealand was Mennenga, with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

In just his second NBL game, new Sixer John Jenkins made a huge statement, scoring 24 points off six triples on 54 per cent efficiency. Flynn Cameron also had a great performance, hitting multiple big shots down the stretch, finishing with 17 points. While Zylan Cheatham was having a great performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds, he fouled out in the fourth quarter. To no surprise, Cotton led the way with a 33-point, nine-assist explosion to take the win.

A win was crucial for New Zealand, as they are desperate for wins to be able to get to that sixth place to sneak into the finals, but after this loss, everything has to go their way for the rest of the season for them to make that finals spot. They will next play against fourth-placed Melbourne United, in a crucial must-win game for not only New Zealand but United as well.

The 36ers will next play the Sydney Kings in an exciting MVP race matchup with the two top contenders for the NBL26 MVP, Cotton and Kendric Davis, facing each other. The win for Adelaide will continue its championship hopes as favourites, but for New Zealand, there is a lot of pressure for strong play for the remainder of the season.