The New Zealand Breakers came within just five points of pulling off an historic upset against the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns, led by this year's number one NBA Draft pick Deandre Ayton, beat the Breakers 91-86 in a sparsely populated Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix on Thursday (AEST) in the latest clash of the seven-game NBL-NBA exhibition series.
The Suns were considered the most vulnerable target of the visiting NBL squads seeking a win against a team from the world's best basketball league.
The Suns had the NBA's worst record last season and against the Breakers were without injured star guard Devin Booker who recently signed a $US158 million ($A222m) contract extension.