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New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks |
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|---|---|---|
2016/17 NBL Season, 2 December 2016 |
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| North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, NZ | ||
| New Zealand Breakers | Illawarra Hawks | |
| 91 | SCORE | 95 |
| 24 | Q1 | 29 |
| 16 | Q2 | 26 |
| 23 | Q3 | 23 |
| 28 | Q4 | 17 |
The New Zealand Breakers lost last start and have had a horror week off the court, but will have to find a way to turn things around when they host the explosive Illawarra Hawks at the North Shore Events Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEDT).
Unfortunately for the Breakers, they are likely to be without Corey Webster for this clash, which is going to be a massive blow to their offence in what should be one of the more high-scoring games for the season.
Webster was not only suspended after an incident with Travis Trice last round in the Breakers loss to Cairns, but has also now been arrested for assault at an Auckland nightclub during the week.
In his absence, there will be plenty of pressure falling on import guard David Stockton, who has replaced Ben Woodside through injury to elevate the team from their current six-and-six record.
Given the side started very slowly, their offence has really been clicking ever since they put 119 points on the Adelaide 36ers and while questions still surround their defence, the way they have been playing suggests they are well in the playoff picture.
The Hawks meanwhile, have gone through the first half of the season as one of the league’s more inconsistent sides yet somehow find themselves in the top four with a record of six and six, just one spot ahead of the Breakers and only on percentage.
Rotnei Clarke, the league’s former MVP really struggled to get back into his groove this season but has started to find the range in the last couple of weeks, sparking the Hawks offence to an incredible win on the road over the Wildcats last round – their first in over a decade.
With Clarke firing, and others standing up including AJ Ogilvy who provides the Hawks with a defensive presence inside the paint, the club are firing but will need to improve down the stretch of the season.
This game could be a major telling point for them, on the road against a club who recently smashed them by 30 at the same venue.
Prediction
No Corey Webster will hurt the Breakers chances in this one, but they still have plenty of shooters and David Stockton is likely to rip the Hawks in half at any given moment with his passing and attacking play.
The Hawks defence hasn’t been up to scratch, but when their offence clicks it’s a joy to watch and for that reason the teams are tough to split, with a high scoring game on the cards.
I’ll take the hosts with absolutely no confidence.
Breakers by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 9 NBL match between two of the highest-scoring clubs in the league from 5:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde