Fast Break Report #12: Some Very Expensive Free Throws
Perth Wildcats 86-80 NZ Breakers
The Breakers went to Perth on a three game winning streak and with only one loss since Corey Webster returned. No small coincidence, that. They’re undefeated at home but the trip to Perth is the toughest one of all. Between these two teams they own the last six championships – which you know already because it’s mentioned literally every time they play each other (with an extra championship added to the tally each progressing season).
The game started on a disturbing note. Catfish missed a layup and Mika got burned by Casey Prather on the defensive end. Abercrombie started well, though, going straight down the middle on the break for a commanding bucket before drawing a foul on Prather. But early turnovers were halting things despite some good work off the ball. Like Pledger muscling off Nate Jawai, big fella! As the first quarter progressed, defence was definitely the name of the game and offence was mostly coming through Webster and Prather.
Damian Martin got a big reception from the crowd, returning with a wire in his jaw and two mouth-guards after that dramatic incident three weeks ago. The crowd also let off at the referees (to a very different tune) with a number of fouls being called.
A few times the Wildcats were able to attack the hoop with flourish. Not often, but now and then in transition or via the odd little bit of brilliance by Prather or Jermaine Beal, the two US imports (who celebrated Thanksgiving together the day before). The Breakers tried to push the interior pass now and then but mostly ran out of room against a sizable yet skilful Perth unit. Still, the first quarter ended 18-16 to NZB as Cedric busted down the court with time expiring to hit Catfish for a final second dunk. See it below.
Midway through the second quarter the Wildcats had attempted 12 shots more than the Breakers, yet the scores were tied at 24. That started to catch up with the Breaks, not always getting to their shots and giving the big forwards of Perth second chance attempts, though Webster stepped up with a couple of Dirk-esque fade-aways. Ah, so good. He’s got some catching up to do still with the whole MVP race (can’t yet look past Chris Goulding) but he’s closing that gap averaging close to 25 points per game (24.88, to be precise). And that’s in a 40 minute game.
But, yeah, the inefficiencies caught up with the Breakers. Turnovers led to transition defence and even the best of teams struggle with that. When they were able to defend in sets, things were really good. However offensive fouls and fumbles gave away easy baskets while the Breakers were having to work for everything they got. Prather had 5 of 6 FGs, while Cedric was 1/5. Perth finished the half on a 16-5 run to lead 44-33. 11 turnovers to 4 – all this despite not giving up a three pointer (Perth 0/6 at the break). Prather had 14, Webster had 10.
The second half began with Perth padding their lead and Abercrombie very uncharacteristically airballing a triple. It took a period of sustained defensive pressure, culminating in a few consecutive stops, for the Breakers to get back into that difference. Except that Beal responded by taking over for the W-Cats – by the way, Real Deal Beal is better than Dollar Beal as a nickname, just sayin’.
The game also got scrappy with Nate Jawai battling in the post. He’s a massive lad and there is a lot of spare flesh swinging around when he starts going for it. He copped Mika with an elbow at one stage and despite his best efforts, there was nothing Catfish could do to stop him short of fouling. Pledger did a much better job on him. By the end of the third it was 67-54 and NZB were only clinging on.
Which is exactly when you need your best scorer to help you out and Corey was good for the task. Plus Everard Bartlett had a nice game, drawing a couple fouls and hitting 2/3 3pters. Shows the huge value you can have just by hitting shots. Like they say: You can never have too many shooters.
Corey Webster hit two long triples and momentum swung just a little bit. You need to take your chances though, and Cedric missing an uncontested layup or an absolutely gorgeous Ced pass to Catfish for the dunk waved off because they missed the shot clock buzzer by less than a second. Or Catfish missing back to back free throws. After Prather fouled out, the game got a little more open for the Breakers at both ends but the lead hovered around nine points most of the time.
With around 3:20 to play, Webster took a knee from Shawn Redhage and, although he continued, he was noticeably hobbled. Alex Pledger then missed back to back free throws to leave even more points off the board. Meanwhile Nate Jawai’s two misses from the line with under three to play were the Wildcats’ first FT misses of the night. Webster drilled a three but then Cedric missed two more free throws. Two more of them, for God’s sake. The lead got as low as four points (with 33 secs remaining) when a backcourt steal gave Webby a shot for a Hail Mary treble that popped out, leading to some heated debate about whether he was fouled or not. It was free throw shots from there and the Breakers had already let it slip by that same method. 86-80 the final score.
The loss can very clearly be attributed to a couple of major issues. Biggest of all was an abysmal night from the free throw line. The Wildcats now have a bit more breathing room in second place, with the Breakers in third. The teams play again on Wednesday with the head to head series at 2-1 to Perth – it’ll be the final time they play and it could be crucial. Series points differential sits at +1 to the Cats.
Webster top scored with 23, shooting 9 of 15. Cedric Jackson had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Catfish Jackson had 11/7. Alex Pledger had a good game too, with 6 points and 7 boards as well as some good defence. For Perth, Prather had 18 & 5r, Beal had 19 points and Nate Jawai chipped in with 15 points.
Stocks:
Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – This was the most influential we’ve seen Alex Pledger in a while, which is a great thing. He was the only guy in the side capable of staying with Jawai in the low post and he did a few quality things on offence to (like three O-boards, for one). Finishing around the rim still needs to get better, but he was sharp on his feet and that footwork was maybe the most promising of all of it given the injuries he’s had over the last year or two.
Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – It was hoped that this would be a breakout season for Reuben Te Rangi after teasing his potential a few times in the past. That hasn’t really happened for him yet as he finds himself with limited opportunities as a bench wing (plus a little PF, by the looks). His role more or less predicated 3-and-D sorta stuff, they aren’t gonna run many plays for him with Webster, Jackson and Abercrombie in his team and nor are they gonna post him up with his lack of size. He started this game with a foul and an airballed three. First step to getting a bigger role is to excel at the one you’re given. He did sink a very late three, though.
Key Stat
16/29 free throws, Cedric missed five of his 11, Catfish was 5/8 and Webby and Tommy each missed one of two. That’s a max of 13 points squandered, while the Wildcats hit their first sixteen FTs and were 21/24 overall.
Play of the Game
Finishing the quarter in style between Ced and Catfish.
Season Standings
Cedric Jackson – 20
Corey Webster – 17
Two on 11
Match MVP Points
Corey Webster – 3
Cedric Jackson – 2
Alex Pledger – 1
Up Next
Wednesday, 7.30pm: NZ Breakers vs Perth Wildcats, North Shore Events Centre (NZT)