KIDRICEVO (2015 FIBA Oceania Championship) - Another game, another narrow defeat for New Zealand's Tall Blacks.

After falling to Croatia on Wednesday to a buzzer-beating three-pointer, a Kiwi side preparing for the FIBA Oceania Championship slumped 24 hours later to a 73-68 setback against Slovenia.

Unlike the clash with the Croatians, when Paul Henare's side had to come from behind to take a late lead, only to be denied by a Rok Stipcevic dagger at the death, on Thursday night the New Zealanders thrilled the home crowd with the Haka and went on to lead for most of the contest.

After taking a five-hour bus journey from Croatia to Kidricevo, a town near Ptuj in northeastern Slovenia, the Tall Blacks looked good bets to claim a victory when they led 38-33 at half-time and 52-49 with 10 minutes to go.

However, the Slovenians - who are warming up for EuroBasket 2015 - outscored the visitors 24-16 in the final frame.

Instead of a getting a confidence-boosting victory, Henare's side was left frustrated again.

"These are rare chances against world class teams, chances that we have to take with both hands," said Henare, the former assistant who was put in charge of the national team following Nenad Vucinic's decision not to continue at the helm.

"We didn't do that in a game we could and should have won so of course, we are disappointed.

"I would be annoyed if we weren't.

"It was a few defensive lapses in the final five minutes and a lack of composure on the offensive end that ultimately cost us against a desperate Slovenian team looking to impress in front of their home crowd."

There were encouraging signs that the Tall Blacks are going to be very difficult opponents for Australia.

Corey Webster continues to supply points - he poured in a game-high 19 - and others performed well for much of the game.

They will learn from these losses and become stronger for it. - Cameron

Pero Cameron, the assistant coach who was a long-time player for New Zealand and was a key man 13 years ago when they made it to the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis, said: "Shea Ili, Reuben Te Rangi, Rob Loe, Isaac Fotu, Tai Wynyard - the list is a long one of young players who are learning to play at the highest level while our senior players, too, are being reminded of the levels they have to reach if we are going to compete with a very good Australian team.

"We do it day in day out in practice, where we beat up on each other all the time.

"The trick is to take that into a game situation and play with consistency."

This weekend, New Zealand travel to China to take part in the Stankovic Cup.

The games in the Far East, where Mexico, Venezuela and China will also be playing, will be the last warm-ups for the Tall Blacks' FIBA Oceania Championship clashes with Australia.

The Boomers will host New Zealand in the first meeting in Melbourne on 15 August and the Kiwis will be the home side in the second, in Wellington, 18 August.

The winner will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games and the loser will play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

FIBA