Damian Martin of the Wildcats gets around CJ Bruton of the Breakers.

Tom Abercrombie, CJ Bruton and Dillon Boucher of the Breakers look on during the round one NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Perth Wildcats.

Mika Vukona of the Breakers drives passed Shawn Redhage of the Wildcats.

lex Pledger of the Breakers competes with Matthew Knight of the Wildcats during the round one NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Perth Wildcats.

Jason Cadee of Adelaide competes with Daryl Corletto of the Breakers.

Dillon Boucher and Tom Abercrombie of the Breakers compete with Anthony Petrie and Daniel Johnson of Adelaide.

Will Hudson of the Breakers dunks the ball during the round two NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Adelaide 36ers.

Stephen Weigh of Adelaide makes a break during the round two NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Adelaide 36ers.

Gary Ervin lays up a shot for the Crocs as Alex Pledger attempts a block.

Cedric Jackson of the Breakers rides the shoulders of Jacob Holmes of the Crocs.

Daryl Corletto the ball up for the Breakers.

Cedric Jackson with the ball for the Breakers.

Tom Abercrombie goes for the block on Kings' Tom Garlepp.

Russell Hinder of the Crocodiles attmpts to drive past Alex Pledger of the Breakers.

Daryl Corletto of the Breakers drives past Jacob Holmes of the Crocodiles.

Cedric Jackson of the Breakers looks to drive past Larry Abney of the Crocodiles.

Cedric Jackson on the ball for the Breakers.

Dillon Boucher celebrates during the Breakers win over the Townsville Crocodiles.

Cedric Jackson of the Breakers collects the rebound during the round nine NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Melbourne Tigers.

Will Hudson of the Breakers during the round nine NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Melbourne Tigers.

Tom Abercrombie of New Zealand (L) and Seth Scott of Melbourne compete for the ball.

Dillon Boucher sticks close to Dusty Rychart of the Taipans during the Breakers' 97-76 win.

Mika Vukona chases a loose ball during the Breakers win over the Taipans.

Cedric Jackson goes up for two of his NBL career-high 32 points against the Taipans.

Adelaide's Luke Schencher protects the ball as CJ Bruton, Dillon Boucher and Will Hudson close in.

Cedric Jackson goes up for a lay-up during the Breakers away win over Townsville.

Leon Henry celebrates his double three-pointers at the end of the third quarter against the Crocs with teammate Mika Vukona.

Dillon Boucher, a member of the original Breakers side, looks for a pass during the heritage game.

Tom Abercrombie completes an alley-oop pass from Cedric Jackson during the heritage game against the Hawks.

Daryl Corletto and Dillon Boucher celebrate the Breakers' hot start against the Kings.

Tom Abercrombie goes up for a dunk as James Harvey of the Kings looks on.

Daryl Corletto nails a three on his way to 14 points in the first four minutes against the Kings.

Tom Abercrombie loses a shoe as he goes for a dunk over Greg Hire.

Corey Webster shoots over Kevin Lisch on his way to a career high 14 points.

Jeremiah Trueman of the Wildcats and Alex Pledger of the Breakers compete for the ball.

Tom Abercrombie takes a jump shot during the game against the Hawks.

Dillon Boucher goes for a steal during the Breakers 92-84 win over the Wollongong Hawks.

Tom Abercrombie shoots a jumper during the win over the Hawks.

Tom Abercrombie of the Breakers hangs on the hoop after dunking the ball.

Mika Vukona goes after the ball against Cairns.

Mika Vukona of the Breakers lays the ball up.

Cedric Jackson shares a hug with Dillon Boucher after the thrilling win over Cairns.

An injured Mika Vukona is helped off the court during the Breakers' clash with the Tigers.

Christopher Goulding of the Tigers tries to block Dillon Boucher during their clash at the North Shore Events Centre.

Tai (left) and Corey Webster enjoy some time on court together in the final quarter of the win over the Tigers.

Tom Abercrombie soars high for one of his three alley-oops in the opening quarter of the win over Melbourne.

Dillon Boucher waves to Breakers fans for the last time ahead of the game with the Tigers.

Alex Pledger pulls down a rebound in the regular season finale against the Wildcats.

Cedric Jackson mulls the loss after the Wildcats defeated the Breakers in Perth.

Dillon Boucher tries to deny the pass for Jesse Wagstaff during the Breakers loss to the Wildcats.

Once, twice, three times a champion.

The NZ Breakers completed an historic title three-peat in the Australian NBL, making a clean sweep of the post-season with a dramatic 70-66 victory over the Perth Wildcats to close out the grand final in brilliant style.

In front of 13,527 rabid, red-clad fans at the Perth fortress that was supposed to be inpenetrable, the Breakers showed all the champion qualities that have established them firmly as New Zealand's premier sporting franchise.

1 of 31 Getty Images The NZ Breakers celebrate their three-peat after defeating the Perth Wildcats in Game 2. 2 of 31 Getty Images Retiring Dillon Boucher wears the championship net around his neck. 3 of 31 Getty Images Somewhere at the bottom of the Breakers celebratory man-stack is Dillon Boucher, who fired the ball in the air as time expired. 4 of 31 Getty Images Multiple champions, Dillon Boucher (left) celebrates his fourth ANBL crown, while CJ Bruton savours his sixth. 5 of 31 Getty Images Head coach Andrej Lemanis cuts down his piece of net after the Game 2 victory. 6 of 31 Getty Images Will Hudson lets the Perth crowd know exactly which team just beat their Wildcats. 7 of 31 Getty Images Andrej Lemanis speaks during the post-game ceremony, while Dillon Boucher celebrates after his last game. 8 of 31 Getty Images CJ Bruton and Cedric Jackson show off the Australian NBL Trophy and their championship medals in the locker room. 9 of 31 Getty Images The entire Breakers team swarms around Dillon Boucher after time expired. 10 of 31 Getty Images A bandaged Shawn Redhage sums up the emotions of the Wildcats and their fans. 11 of 31 Getty Images Will Hudson jumps into the arms of coach Andrej Lemanis, while Corey Webster and Mika Vukona celebrate the final seconds on the bench. 12 of 31 Getty Images CJ Bruton works the referee during the second quarter of Game 2. 13 of 31 Getty Images Breakers small forward Leon Henry reaches for a rebound in the second period. 14 of 31 Getty Images CJ Bruton looks for a passing lane under pressure from Everard Bartlett. 15 of 31 Getty Images Shawn Redhage attempts to grab control of the ball in Game 2. 16 of 31 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ Breakers forward Leon Henry and centre Alex Pledger celebrate victory over Perth Wildcats in game one of the ANBL grand final series. 17 of 31 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ Cedric Jackson gets around Rhys Carter of the Wildcats. 18 of 31 Photosport Corey Webster finds away to get around Jeremiah Trueman and Everard Bartlett. 19 of 31 Photosport Alex Pledger is unlucky to be called for the foul after this block on Perth's Jeremiah Trueman. 20 of 31 Photosport CJ Bruton and Daryl Corletto high five after a made three-pointer. 21 of 31 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ Tom Abercrombie steal possession and make a charge against the Wildcats. 22 of 31 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ Daryl Corletto gets two of his team high 19 points during game one. 23 of 31 Getty Images Darnell Lazare of the Kings is blocked by Cedric Jackson of the Breakers during game one of the NBL Semi Final series between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. 24 of 31 Getty Images Tom Abercrombie of the Breakers dunks the ball during game one of the NBL Semi Final series between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. 25 of 31 Getty Images Cedric Jackson of the Breakers shoots during game one of the NBL Semi Final series between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. 26 of 31 Getty Images Dillon Boucher of the Breakers collects the ball during game one of the NBL Semi Final series between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. 27 of 31 Getty Images Ian Crosswhite of the Kings loses the ball during game one of the NBL Semi Final series between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings. 28 of 31 Getty Images Darnell Lazare of the Kings defends over the top of Alex Pledger during game one of the ANBL semifinal series at Vector Arena. 29 of 31 Getty Images Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis gives instructions to his players during game one of the ANBL semifinal series against the Kings. 30 of 31 Getty Images Leon Henry of the Breakers collects a rebound during game one of the ANBL semifinal series with the Sydney Kings. 31 of 31 Getty Images Daryl Corletto of the Breakers looks to play the ball against the Sydney Kings in game one of their semifinal at Vector Arena.

They had to withstand a furious finish from the home side, who have now lost the last two grand finals to their Kiwi rivals, but they held firm in a pulsating final minute to seal a famous victory behind two ice-cool free-throws from veteran CJ Bruton with nine seconds remaining.

Bruton was magnificent, as he so often is at this time of the year, leading the Breakers with a game-high 16 points off the bench. He made five of his nine field goals, including four of his five attempts from beyond the arc, to deliver a game-winning turn after a quiet opener.

He has now won an incredible six ANBL titles.

1 of 16 Photosport The Breakers celebrate their 2012 NBL Grand Final win. 2 of 16 Photosport Gary Wilkinson of the Breakers thanks fans after their 2012 NBL Grand Final win. 3 of 16 Photosport Gary Wilkinson of the Breakers goes up against Luke Nevill of the Wildcats during their 2012 NBL Grand Final. The Breakers ended up winning. 4 of 16 Photosport The Breakers celebrate their 2012 NBL Grand Final win. 5 of 16 Photosport Breakers' Mika Vukona spins around Wildcats' Shawn Redhage during their 2012 NBL Grand Final. The Breakers ended up winning. 6 of 16 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ The Breakers celebrate their 2011 NBL Grand Final win. 7 of 16 JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ Breakers forward Dillon Boucher celebrating as the Breakers won the 2012 NBL Grand Final. 8 of 16 Photosport Breakers captain Paul Henare celebrates with the net after winning the 2011 NBL final. 9 of 16 Photosport Breakers coach Andre Lemanis shares a kiss after winning the 2011 NBL final. 10 of 16 Photosport The scoreboard after the Breakers won their 2011 NBL final. 11 of 16 Photosport Breakers fans during their 2011 NBL final, which they won. 12 of 16 Getty Images Paul Henare of the Breakers lifts the trophy after winning game three of the NBL Grand Final series in 2011. 13 of 16 TVNZ The Breakers celebrate winning the 2011 NBL Grand Final. 14 of 16 Getty Images Paul Henare of the Breakers lifts the trophy after winning game three of the NBL Grand Final series in 2011. 15 of 16 LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax NZ The Breakers 2011 NBL Grand Final victory parade. 16 of 16 Getty Images Dillon Boucher of the Breakers holds the NBL trophy during their victory parade in 2011.

Two other Breakers stepped up hugely on the big occasion.

Cedric Jackson, after a quiet first half, was clutch over the run home as he contributed 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He made just six of his 17 shots but he came up trumps when the game went on the line over the run home, and was later named finals MVP to go with his regular season award.

Daryl Corletto had another big-time outing too, following on from his heroics of game one. He finished with 11 points (3/8 FG, 2/5 3PT) and also managed to get under the skin of Wildcats star Kevin Lisch over a tempestuous second half.

Getty Images THREE-PLAY: The New Zealand Breakers are an example of what is unfortunate about the current Halbergs system.

Tom Abercrombie added six points and 11 rebounds for the three-time champions, Alex Pledger had eight points and seven boards, and Will Hudson had eight points and four rebounds in a game where neither team shot the ball well, but both played as hard as they possibly could.

The Wildcats had looked dead and buried at the end of the third quarter - down 11 - but came charging home on the back of their pressing defence to nearly steal a famous victory.

When Lisch and Jesse Wagstaff made back-to-back triples midway through the final quarter the home side trailed by just two points, and had every chance as the decibel went through the roof in this huge stadium.

But the Breakers continued to make the big plays when they were needed. Pledger made a block, Jackson a steal and somehow amidst it all the Kiwi club kept their noses in front in a manic finish.

The Cats had their chances at the end, but Rhys Carter could not make a triple, nor Redhage a fadeaway in the lane, that would have levelled the game, and the Breakers made the free-throws that were needed to nail the threepeat.

Redhage and Lisch scored 14 pointa apiece for the Wildcats and Wagstaff added 10.

Neither team shot well - the Breakers went at 34 percent from the floor, the Cats 33 percent - but both played with tremendous intensity and delivered a fitting spectacle to bring the curtain down on the season.

The first half ended with the scores tied at 29-29, which was a bit like watching a nil-all half in football. Close, but not exactly enthralling.

The opening quarter was jittery, to say the least, from both sides, with neither settling into anything resembling an offensive rhythm. Apart from Breakers veteran CJ Bruton who came off the bench and made his only two shots - both triples - to provide some much needed impetus for the visitors who led 19-18 at the first break.

But the Breakers started the second period ice cold and made just a single bucket over the first five minutes as the Cats stormed into a 26-21 lead that got the big home crowd excited, to say the least.

The Breakers, though, stemmed the bleeding in time and reeled in the hosts over the run in to the major break. Both teams staggered, rather than swaggered, into the sheds as the shots kept clunking out, the turnovers kept coming and this building's reputation as a shooters' graveyard firmed.

The Wildcats shot just 27 percent from the floor for the half, and made just two of 10 from deep, continuing their brick-laying form from Auckland. The visitors were only marginally better, dropping 33 percent of their field goals and three of their 11 attempts from long range.

The Breakers edged second-chance points (10-2) and points off turnovers (11-3), but the Cats stayed in it by converting nine of their 10 free-throw attempts and limiting their rivals to just four trips to the line, where they converted two.

The third quarter was positively explosive, with Corletto and Lisch twice going at it in pushing matches, the second of which led to the Breakers earning four free-throws and possession as things threatened to get out of hand.

But it was the champs who kept their cool in a heated quarter, Jackson finally getting things going to the hoop, Will Hudson establishing some nice position inside and Bruton and Corletto chipping in with big-time triples as the lead grew to 11 and remained there (54-43) at the final break.

Of course there was a Wildcats run coming. Everyone in this packed house knew uit. Damn, the Breakers probably even knew it.

Sure enough midway through the final period Perth cranked things up big time. Vukona fouled out, Lisch and Wagstaff made back-to-back triples and suddenly it was a two-point game (59-57) with the best part of five minutes still remaining.

However the Breakers have some very special qualities and they called on them when they were needed, and joined the Sydney Kings as the only club to win a three-peat of league titles.

And Dillon Boucher bowed out at this level of the game in the most fitting fashion.

NZ Breakers 70 (CJ Bruton 16, Cedric Jackson 14, Daryl Corletto 11) Perth Wildcats 66 (Kevin Lisch 14, Shawn Redhage 14, Jesse Wagstaff 10). 1Q: 19-18; HT: 29-29; 3Q: 54-43.

(NZ Breakers win series 2-0)