Brisbane had to pull out all stops to avoid an upset loss against a spirited New Zealand at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

It took the table-topping Bullets 45 minutes to shake the Breakers and the 106-90 score line flattered Brisbane who only broke free of their rivals late in the game when skipper Sam Mackinnon and guard CJ Bruton made some big plays.

New Zealand imports Brian Wethers, who posted a game high 10 points 14 rebounds, and Riccardo Powell, who was held to just one point in the opening quarter but finished with 14 for the match, kept the Breakers in the game until the Bullets opened up in the dying minutes.

The visitors were within three points (78-75) before Bruton hit two big buckets, the second an off-balance three-pointer which sparked Brisbane into action.

Mackinnon chimed in with three of the next four baskets as Brisbane broke New Zealand's spirit getting out to a 12 point lead with a few minutes on the game clock.

New Zealand's foul shooting (23 of 32) kept them in the hunt with Brisbane only getting to the charity stripe 16 times.

Mackinnon was again in great form with 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and stepped up in the last quarter when New Zealand threatened to repeat their earlier upset over Brisbane.

Brisbane import Dusty Rychart, promoted off the bench to cover for injured centre Mark Bradtke (fractured hand) was heavily involved in the opening minutes, scoring Brisbane's first seven points of the match.

In fact he and Breaker's import Wethers posted the first 11 points of the game.

Breaker's gun forward Powell, who won the recent Slam Dunk title, was off target in the first half missing all six field goal shots and finishing with just one point.

However some scintillating shooting by the silky Wethers in the second quarter kept the visitor's in the contest with Brisbane leading 53-47 at half time after being up by 14 points at one stage.

With Brisbane threatening to break the game wide open, Wethers' three consecutive three pointers, two of them as pure as any shooter could wish for, reduced Brisbane's lead from 48-34 to 48-43 just before half time.

Bullets coach Joey Wright copped a technical foul late in the first quarter for berating the referees over a lack of fouls called on the Breakers as they gained some late momentum.

New Zealand coach Andre Lemanis was disappointed to lose a game that was "there for the taking".

"I'm disappointed to lose but I'm proud of the boys. They played hard and really got after it," said Lemanis.

Wright said New Zealand, who had a considerable height advantage, had turned up with the physical game Brisbane had expected.

"They came here and fought hard. They're very tough and difficult to match up on," said Wright.

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