Adelaide 36ers 83-94 NZ Breakers

There it is. The Breakers qualify for the finals just a year removed from missing the playoffs altogether – and two years removed from their last championship.

After a massively impressive win at Vector, NZB travelled to Adelaide just a win away from a shot at glory. It was a predictably tougher game, Jamar Wilson once again putting up one hell of a fight (he had 23 points, 4 assists and 4 steals) but the kiwi side ground it out in the end, leading comfortably throughout the entire second half.

This was an Adelaide team with 10 consecutive wins before this series. An Adelaide team that was then dismantled in two games. A first quarter flurry, with Cedric’s fingerprints all over it, had the Breakers up with a small lead. Quality offence and smart shooting. Adelaide stuck with it, and scored the first five points of the second to take the lead. But then a 15-7 run blew things open.

It was the same game plan as last time. A good tempo, working tirelessly to get the best possible shot, be it jumper, post-up, dunk or lay-up. And some ruthless defence. It hasn’t always been a strength this season, but come the playoffs this team found another level off the ball. Defence is one of those things where the last 10% comes entirely from effort and application. Talent only gets you so far. Well, led by the indomitable Mika Vukona, there was nothing lacking. Adelaide found themselves unable to punish down low. They were outrebounded 38-34 at home, and key man Brock Motum was kept scoreless from 8 shots. That was huge, Motum was the fifth top scorer this season.

The Breakers always had an answer. If the lanes close up, well there’s Uncle Kenny above the rim. Nothing going in the low post? Hey, there’s Corey wide open. Not to mention the consistent threat of King Cedric. Adelaide went on several runs with their season on the line. The Breakers held them at arm’s length every time. Reuben Te Rangi hit a triple right at the end of the third to make it a 17 point game. It was too much to overcome.

It ended an 11 point difference. Cedric was the standout with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. He shot 6-12, too, a slick percentage for a guy who’s not always as clinical as he is dynamic and creative. He was closely followed by a couple of able teammates. Uncle Kenny Ibekwe with 18p/4r/2b on 7-8 shooting, and Corey Webster scored 15 with 4 assists and 5 steals. Plus of course the paint bullies Mika (12p/4r) and Tai (11p/8r/5a) chipped in with plenty.

There’s no time to rest now though. Friday night it all starts again. The big stage, the one they all play for. It’s Game 1 of the ANBL finals.

Time to get home, glad we got a couple extra days rest. Fun week ahead for everyone, this is what it's all about! #breakernation
— Thomas Abercrombie (@tomabo10) March 1, 2015

The Breakers will play the Cairns Taipans, who have been the best team throughout the 2014-15 season. The teams most recently played in the final game of the regular season, a 77-81 loss at Vector. Cairns won the head to head series 3-1, winning twice in New Zealand and one massive hiding in Oz. However it’s that single win that gives the Breakers plenty of hope.

These are clearly the two best teams. It’ll be a spectacle, don’t you worry.

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Cedric Jackson’s ANBL Career, Part 2. He was an MVP in his first stint with the Breakers. Now in his first season back, he finished runner up in the MVP voting. Brian Conklin (of the 11-17 Townsville Crocs) won the award, averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Cedric has padded his stats slightly since voting ended, with back to back playoff double-doubles. His numbers read 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He was second in average steals and had a healthy distance between himself and any challengers at the top of the assist list. Granted, his percentages weren’t great, and he also led the pack in turnovers. It was a close fight, Conklin with 111 votes, Cedric with 101. Josh Childress finished in third with 94 votes.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Corey Webster’s Starting Role. Getting the gig starting at the 2, Webster went from averaging 8.5 ppg to 15.7 ppg. His rebounds and steals went up, his may have assists dropped (since he played a lot of PG off the bench last campaign) but his 3pt% went from 34.6% all the way up to 41.2%. Despite that mighty improvement, it was Townsville’s Todd Blanchfield that won Most Improved, so there ya go. To be fair, plenty of Corey’s own improvements came down to playing about 300 extra minutes in 2014-15.

Key Stat

Four finals in five years. It’s the greatest dynasty in the ANBL since Sydney made five in six between 2002-03 and 2007-08. That team went back to back to back to start that streak, and haven’t won again since. Four titles in five years would be unprecedented.