Adelaide 36ers 74-81 NZ Breakers

The Breakers continue their resurgent season with a nice win in Adelaide, and with 9 games left and a little buffer at the top of the table, thoughts of a playoff run are now a definite thing. They also did themselves a nice favour by giving Adelaide’s playoff hopes a great big Uncle Kenny rejection.

Cedric Jackson set the table and Tai Wesley dined at it. Cedric was unstoppable early on. Words cannot describe it fairly enough, he was immense. A class above. He scored the Breakers’ first 10 points, then assisted the next five, before adding another two. Cedric cooled off in the second but his first half was simply dazzling. He’d finish with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a couple of steals, shooting 6 of 10. And he did it all in style.

Cedric’s burst gave NZB the first quarter lead after a positive start from the home team. Brock Motum and Adam Gibson had a few flashes, but nothing that shone like Tom Abercrobie’s 1Q dunk or some of Cedric’s passing.

That changed in the second as out of nowhere BJ Anthony stepped up off the bench. He scored 10 in barely over three minutes to slice the lead to 1. The former Breakers big fella had 10 and 9, but he would leave with injury and not play a further part. It’s since been revealed that he’ll need surgery on his achilles that’ll end his season prematurely. Gotta send our best wishes to the Tall Black, injuries are the worst part of the game.

Cedric helped balloon the lead back out with a treble though by the half it was down to 3.

The third quarter sucked the life out of both offences after a free scoring first half. Adelaide managed to claw their way briefly into the lead and it looked a tough ask from there, until Corey Webster (who had 5 turnovers) found some shooting touch and Tai Wesley’s newly-emerged beastly paint game took over. Up by 5 at 3Q time, Reuben Te Rangi nailed a three early in the final spell and Adelaide never again got within 6.

Wesley top scored for NZB with 18 points on 8-11 shooting. Webster also had 12 and Abercrombie 11, while Mike Vukona had 5 and 9 boards to boot. For the hosts it was the returning Jamar Wilson who topped the scoring with 21.

Huge team effort tonight. Great tough win on the road to start 2015. #breakernation #letskeepitgoin
— Cedric Jackson (@CedJackson9) January 4, 2015

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – The continued rise of Tai Wesley is a thing to behold. There’s also plenty to like about Reuben Te Rangi hitting a few shots. He had 7 points after scoring 6 combine in his past 6 games.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Wesley’s rush has changed the way the Breakers structure their attack somewhat, or at least the options in which they look to exploit. So hitting him for post-ups is gonna have a downside for someone else, and in this game that was pretty much Ekene Ibekwe. He only had 13 minutes for 5 points. There’s a perfectly basketball reason for that, his success has come from his vulturing offensive boards, tip ins and dunks and alley-oops, which relies on jump shooting and lob passes. Basically, the ball getting above the rim. Post ups slow things down and keep the ball low, but lead to better shots. Ibekwe and Wesley bring different strategies that don’t mix well (not to mention the crossover in positions) so while one is playing hot, the other is usually gonna have to sit. They both had a big effect on the previous game so it can be done though it'll be a thinker for Coach Vicks. Not a bad problem to have for Mr Vickerman.

Key Stat

With this win in Adelaide, the Breakers have now won away against every opposition this season. Booyah.

Play of the Game

Cedric tips the pass, Tommy gets his mitts on it and manage to squeeze it through to Cedric on the run. Cedric draws in the defender, leans into the layup and flicks it behind his back to Corey Webster for the easy finish. Liquid basketball.