New Zealand led 65-60 with 10 minutes remaining, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Ben Hill, but the Boomers recovered to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match, dual-hosted series.

"A basketball game is no place for anybody to be lazy at any point in time and we were guilty of that among other things," said Baldwin.

"That's one that's inexcusable. I'm pretty angry right now and sometimes emotions are better kept underneath your skin.

"I was actually a little bit angry before the start of the game. I thought our haka lacked a bit of intensity and spirit and I told the players before the game.

"I didn't let up on them at halftime either. There were aspects of our game in the first half that simply weren't good enough.

"As I've said many times, if we're going to be successful on the international stage we have to realise our margin for error is so small, and it was much bigger than that."

Phill Jones scored 23 points, with six from 10 three-pointers, but left the court early with an ankle injury.

Aaron Olson was the next highest scorer with 12, while Jason Smith led the way for Australia with 24 points.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said: "We had to put our feet down and make a stand or totally embarrass ourselves.

"I was just happy with what we did when it got desperate and it's going to help us leading into the next game."

The fourth and final match takes place in Melbourne tonight.

Article courtesy of www.fiba.com