The unheralded three-point accuracy of Mika Vukona was the game-winner as the New Zealand Breakers edged the Sydney Kings in a 79-76 thriller at the North Shore Events Centre on Friday.

With the scores tied at 76-76 and the clock winding down, Vukona (10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) found himself open deep in the corner and drained only his 12th trey in 181 games for the Breakers to put the reigning champions ahead.

Sydney had only a second to respond after their timeout, but a desperate heave from Ben Madgen was wide of its mark and the Breakers emerged with the victory from the most unlikely of sources.

Madgen led all scorers with 30 points, while his backcourt buddy Aaron Bruce (14 points, 4 rebounds) was also impressive.

Dynamic guard Cedric Jackson had 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals for New Zealand and centre Alex Pledger (16 points,10 rebounds) recorded a double-double.

Sydney grabbed the first momentum of the game with a 15-6 run to open a six-point advantage early in the second quarter.

The Breakers had suddenly gone cold, but were just as quickly re-ignited by Jackson who nailed a three-pointer as the clock wound down and then stole the inbounds pass for an easy lay-up.

His 14 points for the quarter sparked a 14-2 run that carried the titleholders into half-time 43-39 ahead, the master thief guiding the Breakers to a 14-2 advantage in points off turnovers.

"Ced really carried us at important moments and did a great job attacking their zone," said Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis.

"Him being aggressive and finishing plays made him a a real focal point for the opposition and meant others opened up, like Mika with that three at the end."

When CJ Bruton hit consecutive three-pointers midway through the third period the lead stretched to double figures for the first time, and back-to-back dunks from Pledger had them on a roll.

But Sydney weren’t done. Bruce and Corin Henry drained consecutive three-pointers to close within three points. When Madgen banked a triple moments later it was down to two – and then tied at 72-72 with 3min 26sec to play.

The scores were still locked in the dying seconds when Jackson drove and found Vukona who produced the heroics.

Sydney coach Shane Heal admitted that was the shot they were prepared to concede in that situation.

"That was the scout, but it didn't just come down to the last shot," he said.

"Take you hat off to Mika - he's a veteran and he made the shot when it counted.

"But for us, it was the breakdowns around the court during the game and not dealing with some of the physicality that New Zealand put on. It was a great learning experience for our team."

New Zealand Breakers 79 (Jackson 22, Pledger 16, Corletto 12)
Sydney Kings 76 (Madgen 30, Bruce 14)