The Melbourne Tigers have consolidated second place on the NBL ladder with a 113-108 win over a spirited Adelaide 36ers at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide.

The Tigers led narrowly for most of the match and they had to wait until the dying seconds to be sure of a vital win against a 36ers side fighting for its season.

Sean Lampley, Chris Anstey and David Barlow each finished with 21 points for the Tigers.

Julius Hodge again played brilliantly for the 36ers with 27 points, with Darren Ng (24) and Brad davidson (14) also prominent.

In a frantic opening period the 36ers' attacking power appeared to unsettle the Tigers with Darren Ng proving a real handful on his way to notching up 12 points for the homeside.

The energetic Daryl Corletto came on to steady the Tigers with a brace of late baskets and at quarter-time the sides were locked at 30-30.

Despite the growing influence of the Tigers' Anstey and Lampley during the second term, the 36ers continued to match the intensity of their highly fancied opponents.

Ng remained a constant threat to take his tally to 21 points as the Tigers' struggled to find their usual attacking cohesion, and at halftime the visitors settled for a 56-55 lead.

Early in the third Anstey and Lampley shot the Tigers to a nine-point lead as the 36ers' defence began to look shaky.

However, the 36ers regained their composure with lesser lights Jordan Dodman and Axel Dench emerging to support Ng and a fired-up Hodge, and at three-quarter-time the Tigers lead was just seven points.

In a thrilling final period a quick brace from Hodge cut the lead to three points.

Barlow found his range to keep the Tigers' noses in front as Hodge continued to inspire the 36ers.

A Davidson three-pointer in the last minute made the deficit just two points, but the Tigers steadied through Anstey to hold on.

Tigers coach Alan Westover said it was important his side kept winning to maintain second spot heading into the playoffs.

"We are really in a battle for a top two spot," he said.

"If we lose we're tied with Brisbane. We want to win our remaining games and hopefully get a semi final berth."

Westover added the win was good preparation for the coming finals campaign.

"We hope to win the Championship and you are going to have to win on the road," he said.

"It's definitely going to be a good experience for us.

"I think we've learned a lot from that game."

36ers coach Phil Smyth said despite a fourth straight loss he was pleased with his side's spirited effort against one of the title favourites.

"That's our fourth game in eight days, I thought we showed great character to out score them in the last quarter," he said.

Smyth said the 36ers were still a chance to make the finals.

"That's still realistically a chance for us," he said.

"We've still got enough games up our sleeves.

"We need to get the wins."

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