Axed coach Mike Kelly departed on a losing note as Tai Webster inspired the New Zealand Breakers to a 84-78 win over the Cairns Taipans in their NBL clash in Rotorua.
Brisbane have kept in touch with the NBL top four by securing a rare win in Cairns, outclassing the Taipans 96-87 on Saturday night.
The Bullets capped a gruelling nine-game road trip with their first victory in Cairns since December 14, 2017, snapping a five-match losing streak in far north Queensland.
Brisbane (12-14 record) remain in sixth spot but are in touching distance of third-place Sydney Kings (14-13), No.4 outfit South East Melbourne Phoenix (14-14) and fifth-ranked Illawarra Hawks (13-14) with 10 games left, including their next five at home.
Tamuri Wigness goes to the basket in the Brisbane Bullets NBL win over the Cairns Taipans
Didi Louzada in action during the Kings thrilling win over the Taipans.
Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images
Ware was ablaze early and irresistible late on Saturday in smoking 40 points, the best haul of his outstanding career and the NBL s highest individual tally this season.
The superstar American point guard drained four three-pointers inside the first five minutes to spark the Kings 23-5 headstart and three treys in as many minutes in the fourth term to bail the hosts out of trouble, after they fell behind by six points. I m proud now but pretty angry at the time when we blew an 18-point lead, Sydney coach Adam Forde said.