Star big man Josh Oduro has produced a monster double-double to inspire Melbourne United to a crushing 94-74 win over the NZ Breakers at John Cain Arena.
NZ trailed by just two points with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter of Monday night's match but a 19-4 run by Melbourne blew the contest wide open, with Oduro dominating.
He finished with 17 points to go with 19 rebounds and two blocks, while Cole Anthony (21 points) and Luke Travers (12 points, eight rebounds, six assists) also played key roles.
United youngster Christian D'Angelo put the cherry on top with a half-court buzzer beater to end the match.
"He's a monster," United coach Jacob Chance said of Oduro.
"He gets after it on the glass. About 12 months ago, he kicked my ass in the G-League. I'm just lucky to have him here."
Star Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright had an off night, scoring just six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
Sam Mennenga led NZ's scoring with 15 points, while Carlin Davison (12 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists) was the only other Breakers player to hit double figures.
NZ shot at a woeful 20 per cent (6-of-30) from long range.
Breakers coach Gordon Herbert was missing for the second time in three games, this time due to a case of suspected food poisoning.
It meant his assistant Sebastian Gleim took the reins again, and he received a technical foul late in the match when the referees failed to call a foul after Mennenga had been knocked to the floor while attempting a drive.
Melbourne's third win on the trot boosted their record to 6-5, while NZ have slipped to 4-7 following four straight losses.
Gleim said he was only told he would be coaching when he stepped in the car to get to the game.
"The coach said he's really unwell. I just stepped up," Gleim said.
In an action-packed start to the match, Anthony received a warning then a technical foul in the opening minutes after airing his grievances over an out-of-bounds call.
The setback only seemed to fire him up, with the American nailing 13 points for the quarter - including going 3-of-3 from the perimeter - to give Melbourne a 28-19 lead at the first break.
Tensions were evident in the see-sawing second quarter, with Melbourne coach Chance even told to cool down by referee Chris Reid.
Chance had a prolonged chat with Reid before the start of the third quarter, and received an official warning later in the term as his frustrations continued to build.
Melbourne blew the game wide open late in the third quarter, and they cruised to victory from there.
