NZ Breakers 85-74 Cairns Taipans

You know what that was? Clinical. Playoff standard clinical.

The Breakers needed a win and they got one, blowing the Taipans out in the second half, absolutely blitzing them when it mattered despite playing from as many as 12 points behind in the second quarter (after being up by 9 in the first). Entering the final Q up by only one, they outscored the Taipans 25-15 to romp home and in doing so end the season of their 2015 Finals foes.

The Breakers’ own playoff hopes live on healthily too after Adelaide dropped one to this same Taipans team a few days back, meaning that after earning the head to head split with their big win in ADL in game 25, the Breaks are sitting fourth on the table with two games remaining. Two games, one at home to leaders Melbourne and one on the road to that same lot. Win both and it doesn’t even matter what the 36ers do, they have two games left as well and need to do better than simply matching our remaining split.

So, yeah, that past week worked out pretty well.

From the very first possession it was Webster draining a three without a hint of hesitation, such a confident start in a game they really needed. Again that was the main factor for NZB – they were making shots. The ball movement still wasn’t flash, not was the offence all that creative, but shots fall and the score builds. Abercrombie was looking for his early, he’s a player who can go with the flow sometimes so that’s always positive.

Cairns are the worst three point shooting team in the NBL but Cam Gliddon hit one midway through the first after Mark Worthington’s efforts had closed the early Breakers lead. When Gliddon hit their third three of the first Q they went up on top, having already overturned a nine point deficit within seven minutes of tip off.

Just as he did last game, Cedric seemed up for the fight. Not sure what the difference is, he appeared to be playing at a slightly quicker pace is all and with the Breakers hitting threes it meant a few more options were open for him.

Still, a few minutes into the second and Cairns were up 12 at Vector. With the Melly games to come, this was not one that can be taken lightly, this was a W that needed to happen. Their defence inside was a big factor and for once neither Catfish nor Pledger was able to be much of a scoring force. Usually at least one of them gets going bigger than this.

What the Breakers had in response was good form from all three of their main scorers. Cedric carried a lighter workload but wasn’t all that much less potent than last time, still hitting 40% on threes, while both Abs and Webby were making shots as well. Each made sharp threes to get the team rolling before the break. Bartlett added one himself to keep his season numbers ticking over and at HT it was 45-44 to Cairns. An 8-0 run to end the half, punctuated by Webster’s late bomb. Cedric’s penetration and kick out on that play was beautiful.

Hey, this was funny. Mostly because it didn’t count.

Off the shot clock does not count #HardBall @NZBreakers @CairnsTaipans https://t.co/eo4HZlDBy8
— NBL (@NBL) February 7, 2016

The third was not exactly an offensive clinic. 16-14 to the Breakers, enough to put them up a point, there were a couple of big highlights but for the most part there were a lot of missed shots and some strong defence. Torrey Craig was one player who was able to make bank in 3Q at least.

Ah but the fourth was where they took off. Start it with Cedric Jackson sinking a three over a screen, nothing but confidence there and soon after Mika was getting the and-one. Markel Starks had a point to prove for the Taipans with their playoff lives on the ropes however Tai Wesley made a couple buckets to match him. The game was getting desperate with all that was on the line. There were some crunching blocks and searching defence. Jackson had to battle to avoid one steal, he came up with one of his own on D, charging the distance for the layup.

Three minutes left and the Breakers were up six. The Taipans would only make one more bucket. Like the championship team that they want to be, the Breakers were able to control the game late on. Fouls weren’t an issue which helped them – NZB were 6/12 FTs, that ain’t many efforts thankfully. For the most part it was a game that they shot well in, as simple as that. 50% from the field and they made nine threes as well. Enough for a valuable victory. Count it and fourth place.

NBL Round 18 New Zealand Breakers vs. Cairns Taipans Highlights #HardBall @NZBreakers @CairnsTaipans https://t.co/TkoyxA5LMb
— NBL (@NBL) February 7, 2016

Cedric was the main man again. 16 points shooting 5/11 with 11 assists and 6 rebounds. Quite brilliant. He was aided ably by Webster’s 18 points and Abercrombie’s 19. A solid enough 10 points for Catfish off the bench too, in only 14 mins. For the visitors Craig did his best for 15 points and Gliddon added 13. Only Worthington also made double figures.

Good to get that win tonight! Proud of the guys! #Breakernation
— Thomas Abercrombie (@tomabo10) February 7, 2016

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Ah Cedric. Is it too late to get those MVP chants going again, would Corey be cool with that? It probably is too late, more likely Jerome Randle, Kevin Lisch or maybe even A.J. Ogilvy wins that award. But Cedric was good for player of the week as far as these dudes are concerned. Oh, and with two games to go he's just wrapped up the FBR MVP award. More on that next time.

Player of the week for Rd 18 is @CedJackson9 who keeps the @NZBreakers in contention for the @NBL Playoffs pic.twitter.com/Ko9Gl1QppS
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) February 8, 2016

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – The schedulers. Even with the modern miracles of time-shifted television and internet highlights, do they realise how bloody hard it was to juggle having the Breakers, Phoenix and the NRL Nines finals on all at the same time on a Sunday evening? Idiots.