New Zealand Breakers win fifth straight, Adelaide 36ers struggle

The Breakers, three-time champions, beat the Sydney Kings 107-96 at Vector Arena to improve to a 9-3 win-loss record.

Cedric Jackson had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the table-topping Breakers to their win.

Corey Webster (16 points), Mika Vukona (14), Rhys Carter (14), Tai Wesley (14), Ekene Ibekwe (12) and Reuben Te Rangi (11) were also good contributors.

Josh Childress had 24 points for the Kings, who in round eight did manage to have a win by beating the Adelaide 36ers 90-83.

It completed a poor round for the 36ers after they were also edged 94-91 by Melbourne United at Hisense Arena.

Last year's champions the Perth Wildcats were untroubled by the Cairns Taipans, easing to an 84-66 win.

Tim Coenraad (24 points) led the Wollongong Hawks to a crushing 90-76 victory over the Townsville Crocodiles.

Cairns and Townsville faced off in the round's final game looking for a response and it was the Taipans who got back to winning ways, overcoming the Crocodiles 91-82.