NZ Breakers 76-73 Townsville Crocodiles

Even before this game, the Breakers’ playoff chances had taken a slight boost with the Hawks defeating the 36ers a night earlier. With those two teams playing off three times in the final few rounds, there's plenty riding on those outcomes. The second of those games came Saturday when Adelaide got some revenge, leaving them two clear games ahead of NZB with 24 games played each. Four to play, including one against each other.

But that’s only that and all the other results can go the Breakers way and it would mean nothing if they couldn’t take care of number one. The Crocs had beaten the Breaks a couple games ago, in the midst of NZB’s six game losing streak, and by this time there wasn’t room for any further mistakes. Win out and they’ll probably make the playoffs, all good. Lose a couple games and it’ll all be over. Then again, this was exactly the kind of game that even a couple months back would be a near-sitter.

Before anything else, there was an important piece of history to be written. Tom Abercrombie got that out of the way nice and early (in 18 seconds, in fact) with a pair of free throws that took him past Kirk Penney’s club record for points scored. A deserving title for a player that continues to be a leader for this team. He’d have himself a fine night, buoyed by that start. TA scored the first five points for the Breaks as they got themselves out in front from the start, a fair bounce back after being held scoreless last game against these blokes.

Congratulations Tom Abercrombie on becoming the HIGHEST POINT SCORING BREAKER of ALL TIME! Epic milestone for our very own # 10
— SKYCITY Breakers NZ (@NZBreakers) January 29, 2016

Unfortunately while Abercrombie was on point, and the Jacksons playing well around him, this was yet another off night for Corey Webster. What started with him being shut down by extra defensive coverage has turned into a full on slump and he missed all eight of his first half field goal attempts.

With that, the Breakers soon fell back behind and were tied at the end of the first. It was a strange game in that neither team seemed able to rebound on the defensive end, which led to 37 total offensive rebounds and a fair chunk of putback baskets. Though nowhere near enough, with some of those misses leading to even more O-boards. A weird game. The Breakers led by as many as seven but it was just 38-36 at halftime.

Gotta throw some love Cedric’s way because even his jump shot was going and when that’s the case then he’s usually pretty handy. So he was, scoring 15 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Even shot seven threes (hitting two of them – plus a long two with his foot on the line, to be fair). Because he’s kinda rubbish at them usually he doesn’t shoot them often but it does help when he can show the defence that he’s got that option. Still needs to hit them to really alter defences but then even his misses have value because with the way teams guard the Breaks on the perimeter, sometimes that’s the best way to get the ball into Catfish, Tai and Pledge.

Jackson with the steal & finish #HardBall @TsvCrocs @NZBreakers https://t.co/s4kJjCMnJX
— NBL (@NBL) January 29, 2016

Webster and Mitch Norton traded threes to start the third. The Breakers led by eight at a time there but then between Clint Steindl, Jordair Jett and Nick Kay, the Crocs were somehow able to turn that deficit into a tied game, 52-apiece going into the final quarter, in the space of 2:22. Jett had a hugely involved game but shooting 0/5 3pters and 8/23 overall meant his 18 points really could’ve been a fair bit more.

Jett with a nasty 2 hand jam #HardBall @TsvCrocs @NZBreakers https://t.co/8voLTSLQnh
— NBL (@NBL) January 29, 2016

With the win a near-must, these were squeaky bum times for us folk and it got worse as both Mika Vukona and Tom Abercrombie missed a pair of free throws each. It was like Vietnam flashbacks. However back came Charles ‘Catfish’ Jackson, looking revitalised these last few games playing off the bench – specifically because getting in minutes against reserves keeps him out of foul trouble. He was hauling in boards and getting in on those tip-ins and dunks just like we all wanna see from him. Now, Tai Wesley and Mika Vukona, they weren’t so clean on the foul counts – and that meant some Pledgehammer/Catfish shared court time which was a fair bit of fun.

Jackson with his 2nd dunk of the quarter #HardBall @TsvCrocs @NZBreakers https://t.co/ecnhsUrMWd
— NBL (@NBL) January 29, 2016

When Cedric hit a three with 3:23 to play, the Breakers went up by 11. The win was right there for the taking. And that was when things got tricky.

Corey missed a three, Omar Samhan made a two. Cedric missed and then Webster sent Jett to the line. He blew both attempts. Phew, pretty soon Abercrombie was dunking off a slick Webster bounce pass (see Play of the Game) and they were up 12 with 1:21 left. Sweet, trouble avoided.

Boom, Steindl made three. Swish, Steindl makes all three free throws. Lead down to six, Mika steps up with the and-one. But then Kay makes a treble, hits a few free throws and somehow Corey Webster (the one guy this team can rely on at the line) clunks both FTAs. With 16 seconds on the clock the lead is a mere two points. What in the hell was going one!?

Never mind, it was all a ruse to keep the suffering fans in agony. Some clever passing wore down clock before Abercrombie could be fouled. They mercifully closed it out after that, Abercrombie making three of his final four from the line to get it done and keep this season afloat. All’s well that ends well, so they say.

Highlights of the Crocs v Breakers in Round 17 #HardBall @TsvCrocs @NZBreakers https://t.co/8wtD6k6cdX
— NBL (@NBL) January 29, 2016

Steindl scored 17 to go with Jett’s 18 for the Crocs. Kay and Norton also made double figures. As for the home team it was Abercrombie’s 22 that le the day. 5 of 14 shooting but he also got to the line a chunk of times, going 10/15 which is decent enough for this team’s precedent. Cedric’s 15/5/4 was solid while Catfish bagged a monster haul of 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Now they’ve gotta keep this going in Adelaide. The phrase ‘must-win’ is an overused one but here it’s dead accurate.

So that means if @Adelaide36ers beats NZ on Wednesday and Perth beats Sydney at least once, the top four @NBL teams will be locked in.
— NBLfacts (@nblfacts) January 30, 2016

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Given how often Charles Jackson was held back by his foul count – coming in and straight away picking up two and having to sit – it’s a wonder that he wasn’t put to the bench much sooner. Right now he’s playing with such an irrepressible energy, check out the celebrations. It’s brilliant. It also means he’s there to contribute in the fourth quarter and that could be a crucial little development for this season.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – There’s something up with Corey Webster. Only 9 points and he hasn’t been right for a while now. It’s tough being the standout shooter on a team because you’re always gonna get the best defender on you, however he’s getting some open looks and not hitting. Part of this has to be mental, and there’s no reason to think it’ll last. Still, maybe a little more variety would help – he’s so good off the dribble and he’s (usually) money from the line. Could be getting just a little complacent with that three ball. He’s also now gone four matches without a FBR MVP point, matching his longest drought of this campaign – and he didn’t even play those first four games.