Loss to News Zealand Breakers rocks Melbourne Tigers' playoff hopes Lucas Walker almost makes a spectacular play during the Melbourne Tigers vs New Zealand Breakers round 22 match at Hisense Arena, Melbourne. Chris Goulding heads to the basket. MELBOURNE Tigers are yet to cement an NBL play-off berth after losing to the ladder-leading New Zealand Breakers at Hisense Arena today. Missing injured star point guard Jonny Flynn, the third-placed Tigers fell short in a spirited second-half comeback to lose 79-74. The loss adds more weight to the Tigers' four remaining games, with several teams battling to secure the final two places in the top four. The Tigers had trailed by 21 points mid-way through the third-quarter before Chris Goulding, who had 12 points for the quarter, imposed himself on the match. Goulding, who top-scored for the Tigers with 23 points, helped cut the deficit to 13 points at three-quarter time to set up a final-quarter charge. The Tigers edged in front momentarily mid-way through the final quarter after a Matt Burston basket, but the Breakers, who have lost just three games for the season, steadied to clinch the win. Burston (16 points) was the only other Tiger to hit double digits, while Daryl Corletto top-scored for the Breakers with 20 points, including four three pointers. The Tigers face the Breakers again on Thursday in New Zealand before backing up on Sunday to take on the Crocs in Townsville. It is a testing run home, with three of the Tigers' remaining four games on the road. It is unclear if Flynn, who is battling a foot injury, will be fit to return for Thursday's clash.