Nick Kay had a game-high 23 points as his Perth Wildcats were beaten 77-67 on the road to Melbourne United on Wednesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tamworth export - Perth's best on the night - also had eight rebounds, in more than 34 minutes of court time.
Second-placed Perth's shooting from outside the arc hurt them, and in the end that was the difference between the sides.
Read also:
Foul trouble was also a problem for the visitors, especially with star wing Terrico White a late withdrawal for Perth with soreness.
Kay said: "We definitely struggled from down town tonight. It was good that we could still get open shots.
"Not everything was great but when we go back and watch film there will be plenty of positives we can take.
"We'll have to be better when it comes to the game on Saturday."
The win revived fifth-placed Melbourne United's semi-final hopes.
United led from start to finish to snap a three-match losing streak and move one win behind fourth-placed Brisbane.
The Wildcats next match is against the Sydney Kings in a top-of-the-table clash in Perth on Saturday.
