'We played not to lose': Bruton

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton said his team "played not to lose" in the final quarter in the 83-86 loss to Cairns on New Year's Eve.

The Taipans fought back from an 18-point last quarter deficit to halt the 36ers' four-game winning run.

"We played not to lose, and it's not the way you play the game of basketball," Bruton said.

"(Shannon) Scott was great for them, (Tahjere) McCall got going.

"They got the better of us and we went backwards.

"We always play to win a game, we did have a patch from eight to two minutes we were playing not to lose a game.

"Things you've got to learn and keep getting better at, we missed some easy bunnies.

"Hats off to Cairns and Adam Forde and his crew to fight through in a home game and a big crowd.

"It's something that's special around the league that we continue to see crowds like that which is playoff atmosphere."

Bruton was frustrated with the result and knows his team is in for a 'dogfight'.

"I'm not happy with how our team played out, but again, you got to lose games and win games and steal games, you need to find ways to keep battling and keep your head up," he said.

"I said to my guys we're in a dogfight and every team is.

"When you let stuff like this slip, it's understanding you need to regroup and come back, you don't have long to turn around."