A poor defensive effort hurt Nick Kay's Perth Wildcats, as they were shot down by the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday.
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Playing their second road game in five days, the Wildcats were defeated 97-85 to record their third loss in four games.
They experienced slump at the same stage last season losing seven from eight through December and January before going on to win their ninth NBL title.
After a quiet night in their 100-97 loss to Adelaide on New Years Day, Kay was the Wildcats' second top-scorer with 18 points. The Tamworth export was also top for assists with five, and snaffled a second-top five rebounds and two steals.
On song early against the 36ers, going up 10 points after seven minutes, it was the opposite story on Sunday with the Wildcats giving up a double-digit lead early in the game.
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The reigning champions fought back but a disappointing performance down the stretch cost them the match.
After taking the lead midway through the third they could only manage five field goals in the fourth quarter as the deficit blew out again.
"We didn't come out and set the tone, we were on the back foot, which is disappointing," said Trevor Gleeson.
"Our defence was horrendous. Really disappointed. That's what we pride ourselves on. To let them get so many points in the paint, easy points.
"They were just getting layups. You can't win in this league giving up 97 points."
Their next assignment is against Illawarra in Wollongong on Friday.