NZ Breakers 98-88 Adelaide 36ers

Yeah, g’day there, how about another Breakers win? Lovely. The season seems to be rounding a corner all of a sudden and after a strong finish against Adelaide this team finally has a winning record. It’s only taken seven games.

The Breakers already lost to this mob in round one but then that was a stinker of a game on the road in those dark, lost, pre-Webster days. The prince has returned since then. However the grand marshal, Mika Vukona, was missing again with any one of a number little issues that he always has. Might have taken a stray firework or something.

Anyway, his replacement was Tai Wesley, who had a stormer last game and a kid after that and he was more than ready for this. He scored the first nine points for NZB. Catfish Jackson, his big partner in the paint, didn’t start quite so flash, he was hooked very early after a foul and a turnover. Don’t worry, his game go better. Pledger came on and threw a few strong blocks though they were giving up too many good shots to the 36ers, who were pushing the ball at a rapid click. This game was lighting in the first half. The Breakers trailed 24-23 at quarter time.

They came up with a big boost early in second quarter, the effort rising with the rebound numbers. No coincidence. A few stops and they were up by five, though against one of the best offences in the league that was never gonna last without some Steph Curry-esque madness. Cedric’s got his many incredible talents but sadly pull-up threes are not one of them. The Sixers were driving in transition and it was creating issues, so it was no surprise that as soon as the boards and baskets settled down, the visitors came roaring back and tied it up at 44 late in the half. They were never far behind, this one was always a couple errors from swinging in either direction.

This offensive festival was eventually interrupted by the half time buzzer at 48-49. A team without the same size in a few positions was able to rally around some timely (if not bulk) rebounding, as both teams shot a shade under 50%. Tai had 14 while Catfish had himself a late rally around the rim, slamming jam after jam. He’s always teased this kind of thing but his persistent fouling has continually held him back. Finally, the threat was coming to life.

The game see-sawed in the third. Jerome Randle, the Ukrainian international, was making things happen any time he touched the ball and the Sixers were making buckets, able to throw the Breakers off with the pace of their attack and some clever passing. But the Breaks were grinding too. Even on an off night for Corey Webster (at this stage anyway) they still were finding ways to score. Mostly inside, though they were getting just as many decent looks.

And then something magical, something wondrous happened: Cedric hit consecutive free throws.

And then we were back into proceedings as they were. The first half had been played at such a breakneck pace that it wasn’t surprising that the teams seemed to tire. Or at least cool off. The Breakers didn’t get much offence off the bench, for example, and they only used an eight-man rotation anyway. Te Rangi had crazy foul trouble. Adelaide had a few guys that offered a bit, Ebi Ere scored 15 off the pines.

After three quarters it was a delicately poised 66-69 game. You can thank triples from RTR and Tommy for the last six there but it was the away side that finished stronger with the last 7 points. A three point Sobey play was the kicker. By this stage there had been 18 lead changes and 7 tied scores.

At times it was like the Breakers couldn’t score. At others, like when Corey drained a corner three and a tough contested triple on consecutive possessions, it was as if they couldn’t miss. As he has done so often before, Cedric found ways to get involved when it mattered most. He came up with a sweet blindside block, some trips to the line and the odd rebound… plus a dime to Webster as he friggin’ drilled another three pointer (his third in 70 seconds).

But the oppo weren’t going away without a fight. Had they been able to hit one of a number of deep attempts they launched around the 3 mins to play mark then they’d have tied it up again. They didn’t. Instead Catfish made an offensive board count for two before his namesake Cedric went circling under the basket, offloaded, and you can count that and a foul. He missed the foul shot but who cared. Right at the toughest moment the Breakers just flew away with it. Adelaide started hoofing desperate shots and the lead stretched further and further out. It was foul shots from there, which was cool. Tommy needed the extra points.

When Tai Wesley top scores with 26 points, one of two things has happened. Either it’s been a high-scoring game with all sorts of clever movement making room in the paint… or we’ve found ourselves taxiing to the game in a DeLorean and just witnessed a game straight outta the 1960s full of post-ups and hook shots and not much else. This was the former. Cedric Jackson was on point with his passing game, dishing 12 assists on a great night for him.

Catfish logged a 21 point, 10 rebound line shooting 9 of 11. Wesley’s 26 points were complimented with 8 boards and 3 assists (you knew he was hot when he took SIX three pointers. He made one – his first). Count 10 for TA, 20 for Webby (including 5 of 9 from deep) and Cedric, ol’ Cedric… he had 11 points and 13 assists. Thirteen of them! Five turnovers too, but man… thirteen assists!

Along with Ere’s 15, Lucas Walker scored 14 for Adelaide, Dan Johnson had 20p & 15r, while Randle put in 12 points with 10 assists. He’s a small fella is Randle but super dynamic, like a mouse scuttling across the floor. Unfortunately a really creative night for him was ruined down the stretch as he tried so hard to hit that crucial bucket. He missed all nine of his 3pt shots, going 6 of 23 overall. For 12 points. Ouch.

What it all adds up to is the Breakers hitting that winning record for the first time this season, though it doesn’t get any easier from here. Next up is a trip to red-hot Melbourne, who are still unbeaten.

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Yes, Catfish, this is what we’ve been waiting for. There have been glimpses so far. There have been teases and hints. But this was the first time that we got Full Catfish, inhaling boards and exhaling second-chance points. Sure, most of his shots were from within a metre of the basket, but there’s nothing wrong with that when you’re scoring 20 points. Great stuff, this guy is a champion to watch when he gets rolling, a real crowd favourite.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Not a single second for Shane McDonald in this one. Presumably he was injured but the worrying thing is how little he seemed to be missed. His absence was barely noted. Old Mac’s a tidy player, hopefully he’ll get his big game sooner or later.

Key Stat

His 13 assists tie Cedric Jackson’s personal best in the NBL. He’s already surged past Dillon Boucher for second on the team’s all-time assist ranks and with a couple more seasons he’ll be threatening Paul Henare. That’s dollars on the dime right there.

Play of the Game

Gotta give some love to Catfish. The moves from Cedric are superb here too.

Season Standings

Charles Jackson – 10

Cedric Jackson – 9

Tai Wesley – 7

Corey Webster – 7

Match MVP Points

Charles Jackson – 3

Tai Wesley – 2

Cedric Jackson – 1

Corey Webster – 1

Up Next

Sunday, 5pm: Melbourne United vs NZ Breakers, Hisense Arena (NZT)