Fast Break Report #13: Taming the Cats
NZ Breakers 99-78 Perth Wildcats
Fresh off of a close loss in Perth the other day, the Breakers were right back at it against the Wildcats again in a game that held plenty of later-season implications.
Unlike Friday night, which was a very defensive affair early one, this one was all attack. Two teams looking to play with a bit of pace and each hitting their shots nicely. Corey and TA both had nice starts with deep bombs, while Jermaine Beal was playing frighteningly in that first quarter. Dishing and swishing. But the fouls were coming too, specifically against the Wildcats. Given that the Breakers were so bad from the FT line last game, maybe that wasn’t such a big deal.
Meanwhile Catfish went and bagged six rebounds in 1Q, playing some good defence despite being targeted by the likes of Jesse Wagstaff and Shawn Redhage (and Nate Jawai, of course) as someone they could draw fouls out of. Not so much in the early stages here. But turnovers on each of their last two possessions of the half (not including the Cedric toss-up three that rimmed out at the buzzer) allowed the Wildcats to stretch the lead out to six at 31-25. Beal had 12 points already (to go with 3 assists and 3 steals).
The Breakers were playing pretty well, but the ‘cats just weren’t missing. Abercrombie sunk a couple long and sexy twos (plus another that didn’t count thanks to an earlier foul) but Beal was unstoppable. Back to back threes before Redhage got in on the action and it was actually super impressive how well the Breakers were able to stick with them. Credit some quality interior defence (which, to be fair, meant more open looks outside – hence 18 early points from Beal) and also credit the general menace of Mika Vukona who was aggressive and looking for points. Good. Aggressive Mika is the best kind of Mika and he came up with a superb play to sweep one Perth miss off the rim. He also had Casey Prather all up in his face for some reason – sit down rookie, you can’t run with Mika.
When you’re making bank on the three-pointers, there tends to be a little reverting to the mean eventually. The Breaks did a good job of not over compensating to the shooting mastery that was keeping them down and eventually they made a run and burst into the lead. A little no-look, backwards flip from Cedric to Corey on the break for three was the highlight. And then Cedric got carried away with the Globetrottering and whipped one behind the back and into the corporate seats where he smashed a couple wine glasses.
After that some offensive rebounding (PLEDGE!) helped NZB to a 54-48 lead at the main break. At HT the Breakers were shooting 50% from the field and the Wildcats were shooting 52.9%. Not to mention 7 of 12 from 3pt.
At some point in the mid-second, the Wildcats offence went away from what had been doing them so good, quick passes around the perimeter and some hot jump shots. There was a point in the early third where they had about four consecutive offensive rebounds and couldn’t score at all before Webster, of all people, ended the farcical spell with a block. Abercrombie hit a three on that next possession to push the lead to 11. An absolute coach killer for Trevor Gleeson.
Compared to the offensive quality of the third was where the shackles were tightened. Points dried up and that was fine by the kiwi team, already well in front. There also was a bit of a break in the early fourth as Damian Martin, playing for the second time after getting his face annihilated, managed to lose a tooth within his mouthguard. It was kinda yuck, but fair play to him for chugging along.
The thing was, Perth just couldn’t score consistently. The Breakers figured out a way to limit them and despite a few sharp shots from Kenny and Beal, the home side were blowing them away. Abercrombie was hurling fire all night and Catfish wasn’t gonna be stopped. Corey Webster was there for some spot-up threes and if anything the Wildcats just sorta wilted. The kids were able to get a runout there for the last minute or so (including a first appearance for Finn Delany). By the end of it, it wasn’t even close. 99-78.
The win does massive good for the Breakers’ playoff chances. Way more than a single win should because it was the final one in the series between the teams and by virtue of winning by more than by more than a point (yeah, right?) they now hold the tiebreaker over the Wildcats despite a 2-2 split head to head. Kaboom. The ‘cats are still in second, the Breakers in third, but the gap just closed significantly.
A 8/17 shooting night propelled Tom Abercrombie to 23 points, he hit 3/5 3pters. Corey Wester was close behind with 21 points from 7/14 and Charles Jackson ended up with 19 points, boosted by several put-backs from his 7 O-boards (12 in total). Mika also had 12 rebounds and 11 points, 5 assists too. This was his best game of the season, he was at the heart of so much that went right here. Hey, and Cedric Jackson played too, don’t forget. 6 points and 9 assists. Shout out to Alex Pledger for his 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
For the Wildcats, Beal topped with 23, while Prather scored 12 and Jawai and Knight 11 each.
Stocks:
Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Tommy! It’s been a while since we’ve seen the dominant scorer that TA can be, such a sweet jumper. When he gets his looks, he’s as good of a scorer as anyone, including Corey Webster. It’s just that he isn’t nearly so good at creating his offence so when you can get him playing positively and looking to shoot, you’ve got yourself one hell of a spare weapon. His defence was on point too for long stretches – we even got a sighter of the dude that used to block shots for fun in the second half there with a badass swat.
Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – There wasn’t much to worry about at all here, such a team effort that it was. But with the starting five and Pledger all playing well (especially beyond that first quarter), there wasn’t much room for anyone else to get all in on the box scores. Tai Wesley should be back if not next game then the one after so the likes of Reuben Te Rangi, Everard Bartlett and anyone beyond them might struggle to get their chances. It’s just depth is all that is.
Key Stat
Play of the Game
Phwoaar, that pass!
Season Standings
Cedric Jackson – 20
Corey Webster – 17
Thomas Abercrombie – 14
Match MVP Points
Tom Abercrombie – 3
Mika Vukona – 2
Charles Jackson – 1
Up Next
Saturday, 9.30pm: Townsville Crocs vs NZ Breakers, Townsville Entertainment Centre (NZT)