Phoenix upset JackJumpers in thriller

Majok Deng's missed free-throw in the dying seconds has allowed South East Melbourne Phoenix to escape with a hard earned 86-85 NBL win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena.

The Phoenix led Saturday night's thrilling clash by two points when point guard Gary Browne's missed floater with 10 seconds remaining ended in a loose-ball scrap and Deng, after collecting the ball, was fouled by former Adelaide teammate Mitch Creek.

Deng, a reliable 82.6 per cent foul shooter across his 206-game career, swished his first attempt with 3.4 seconds on the clock but his second shot rimmed out and was rebounded to safety by Creek.

Browne (20 points) and Creek (16) played pivotal roles in lowly Phoenix's toppling of the NBL ladder leaders.

Livewire point guard Jordon Crawford (27 points) led the JackJumpers' charge, waging an engrossing backcourt duel with Browne

Milton Doyle gave Tasmania a 5-0 headstart before Clint Steindl and Crawford caught fire from the perimeter to pushed them ahead 18-10 late in the opening stanza.

The JackJumpers' early advantage vanished in the second term through turnovers as Phoenix upped the defensive pressure.

Scores were locked away at 43-all at half-time before Browne caught fire in the third to give South East Melbourne a 68-64 three quarter-time edge.

The 168cm Crawford, who had 17 first-half points before being silenced in that third period, got motoring again to start the fourth, which he started with a baseline jumper and a three-pointer to put the JackJumpers back in front.

Browne piloted a 12-3 response before triples from Doyle and Crawford kept the visitors in the hunt right to the finish.