NZ Breakers 77-81 Cairns Taipans

Eh, whatever. The Breakers either had to win this game by 26 points or it meant nothing. It took about half way through the second quarter before it was obvious that there was no way that was happening. Write it off, the real stuff starts this Thursday!

But first. It was the Scottie Wilbekin show at Vector. The guy’s done it before and he’ll do it again, he scored 25 points to lead Perth to a tight win, albeit one in which they held the lead for the entire fourth quarter. The Breakers powered home to end the first quarter, it was tied at HT, and in the second half Wilbekin took over. Other stuff happened too, but they didn’t really matter.

Look, this was an ugly game. Aside from Ekene Ibekwe (17 & 13), nobody really lit it up. Corey Webster threatened early but ended up shooting 6 of 19, while Cedric’s 6 turnovers didn’t exactly impress. But it didn’t matter. They each still filled the box score out, Corey with 16 & 4, Cedric with 12/8/4. Perth won by 4, everybody moves on to the playoffs.

Anyway, so here’s how the table finished. The Breakers play Adelaide in the semis. It’s a best of three clash, winner advances to the finals to play either Cairns or Perth.

Game 1: Thursday 26 February, 7.30pm @ Vector Arena

Game 2: Saturday 28 Febraury, 9.30pm @ Adelaide Arena

Game 3: Monday 2 March, 7.30pm @ Vector Arena (if necessary)

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Shout out to Cedric Jackson. ANBL Player of the Week last week and 2014/15 leader in assists. And, most prestigious of all, Fast Break Report Season MVP for 2014/15! Full standings are a Pg Dn away.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – No. Now is not the time for slumping.

Key Stat

The Breakers semi-finals opponents, the Adelaide 36ers, polished off their season with a 105-85 win away in Wollongong. That’s their 10th win in a row.

Play of the Game

Uncle Kenny makes up for a missed free throw in emphatic fashion. Boom.

Match MVP Points

Ekene Ibekwe – 3

Corey Webster – 2

Cedric Jackson – 1

Season Standings

Cedric Jackson – 42

Corey Webster – 31

Ekene Ibekwe – 28

Up Next

Thursday, 7.30pm: NZ Breakers vs Adelaide 36ers, Vector Arena (NZT)