A Shane Heal-inspired South Dragons have moved closer to a finals berth while making it tough for New Zealand to crack the eight after a 106-102 win over the Breakers.

Captain-coach Heal bagged a game-high 38 points, all but assuring his side of some post-season action in their debut.

Needing four wins from their last four games to remain the masters of their playoffs destiny, the Breakers' hopes were seriously hurt by a Dragons outfit who seemingly wanted the win more than the home team.

The Breakers were undone by poor marksmanship, shooting abysmally in a match they looked in command of in the opening quarter.

It wasn't just that the three-pointers were rimming out; any number of lay-ups failed to fall as the Breakers' anxiety near the basket cost them dearly.

They totally dominated the boards but could not transfer that on to the scoresheet.

It took the Dragons almost three minutes to sink their first basket and their timid approach opened the way for the home side to earn a 39-28 lead with four minutes remaining in the first half.

Expertly guided by veteran guard Heal, the Dragons sparked into life to score the next 10 points and snatch the lead.

The Breakers, down 49-51 at halftime, remained off their game after the mid-term break, slipping 77-85 behind early in the fourth quarter as Heal and Kavossy Franklin asked serious questions of them inside the arc.

Heal was in magical touch, slotting a game-high 38 points and carrying his team for periods as he injected enthusiasm and accuracy to their weaponry.

The Dragons, who entered the game seventh in the standings, were placed under pressure as the Breakers trimmed the difference to one before Heal steered his side to a six-point buffer at three-quarter time.

The Breakers refused to go away, with Ben Pepper their leading scorer with 26, and Carlos Powell contributing 21.

However, they stayed within range only because of desperation and certainly not due to any particular skill on their part.

The Breakers' next match is away to the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday.

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