Source: Radio New Zealand
Tai Webster of the Breakers is challenged by John Brown of the South East Melbourne Phoenix. photosport
The New Zealand Breakers have been left with a mountain to climb to reach the NBL playoffs after being outplayed on their home court 114-83 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Missing a number of key players, the Breakers fell away in the second half after going to the main break with the scores locked at 52-52.
It completed a season-sweep for the Phoenix over the Breakers, having won all four of their games, and lifted the Melbourne club to the top of the table.
The Breakers dropped one place to eighth and will probably need to win all of their four remaining games to have any hope of reaching the top six, starting with tonight’s quick-turnaround contest against the Illawarra Hawks – also in Auckland.
Coach Petteri Koponen’s team will need to be better if they’re to beat the seventh-placed visitors, having been eclipsed in most departments by the Phoenix.
Izaiah Brockington on the dribble for the Breakers. photosport
They were without rising star Karim Lopez, who picked up an injury in the buildup, adding to a medical list that also includes Sam Mennenga and Rob Baker, whose seasons have been ended prematurely by injury.
Izaiah Brockington stepped up to score 19 points while Tai Webster had 16 points and eight rebounds before he was ejected in the fourth quarter.
Guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright mixed 15 points with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals before he was ejected in the final quarter after earning two technical fouls.
South East Melbourne’s defence also forced New Zealand into 14 second half turnovers and they dominated the third quarter, winning it 34-15.
Six of their players scored double figures, led by Ian Clark with 23 points.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand