Too close.
New Zealand has won four titles in 15 seasons in the Australian National Basketball League but had no business being within single digits against Phoenix in the fourth quarter Wednesday night.
The Suns survived, 91-86, before 7,183 fans at Talking Stick Resort Arena, but left the court frustrated with how they played against lesser competition.
“You’ve got to be more competitive, have that edge,” Suns point guard Shaquille Harrison said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. You’ve got to go out and play hard regardless. You control that aspect of your game. You can’t control whether you make the shot or not.