The New Zealand Breakers had no qualms inflicting a fourth straight defeat on the troubled Gold Coast Blaze by registering a ruthless 100-79 victory in Auckland on Thursday.

There was a theme of desperation to this match with the Breakers, second, sitting on a two-game slump and sixth-placed Gold Coast's season fast unraveling.

The visitors slipped to 2-5 while the Breakers lifted to 6-2, thanks to Kirk Penney finding his groove.

Penney led all scorers with a 24-point haul after struggling since returning to the side.

It also spelled a second loss to the Breakers for the Blaze after they dropped the Round 4 fixture on the Gold Coast, 96-81.

Guard Corey Webster missed the last two Breakers' matches with illness but he signalled his return in style, impressing with 11 off the bench and centre Gary Wilkinson muscled his way to 14 points. CJ Bruton also had 14.

The Blaze were anything but hot in shooting 36 percent from outside the arch.

Texas import Ira Clark (19 points) was their most prominent and domineering figure, though Mark Worthington had a late flourish to collect 20 points.

Pressure will be mounting on the club who already sacked two imports this year.

After a horrible league worst 57 points in the loss to Wollongong last week, the
offensive showing was the highest score for the Breakers this year, eclipsing two 93-point showings.

Burton opened the Breakers' account from long range and quickly followed with a jumper before picking up two fouls.

Blaze guard Darryl Hudson made three from the line, but the Breakers did not miss a shot on their way to 14-3 run. They would have seven scorers at the first break.

Gold Coast's Clark imposed his 203cm frame, helping himself to six points and combining sweetly with Hudson. Tom Garlepp also chimed in to help bring his side back into the contest – 26-20 at quarter time.

Webster and Penney – on his way to 14 first-half points – hit two threes apiece as the Breakers again started with more urgency, shooting out to a 17-point lead before the Blaze could catch their breath.

After being down by 20 at half-time in their loss to the Melbourne Tigers last week, the visitors must have had similar visions as they failed to shift the ball to open players.

But Worthington ignited hopes of a comeback when he broke double-figures and the Blaze scored seven straight to close within 11 at the interval (52-41).

A pumped Wilkinson stepped up in the third period. When he wasn't scoring, the Breakers' big man crashed the boards to bank second chances.

Trailing 57-77 heading into the final stanza, the Blaze were staring down the barrel of yet another defeat.

The crowd at the North Shore Events Centre were fanatic as the Breakers notched the century, as they each gained a Burger King voucher.

New Zealand Breakers 100 (Kirk Penney 24, CJ Bruton 14, Gary Wilkinson 14)

Gold Coast Blaze 79 (Ira Clark 19, Mark Worthington 20, Adam Gibson 12)