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The New Zealand Breakers, despite being exceptionally careless with the ball all night, have managed to defeat the Sydney Kings comfortably in a 74-62 win at the North Shore Events Centre.
It was a listless performance from both the reigning champions and the struggling Kings, who compiled a whopping 45 turnovers combined in four quarters of pure grind and grit.
The Kings were particularly scratchy, shooting just 30 per cent from the floor, and 12 per cent from down town. Marcus Thornton top scored for the Kings, with 18 points and two rebounds.
Julian Khazzouh had a strong first half himself, grabbing 12 points and four rebounds but was well held by the Breakers big men in the second half and finished the game with just 13 points, but did manage to pick up eight rebounds.
The main thing to take out of the game, and look to improve on from the Kings perspective is their stagnant offence.
Sydney tallied just eight assists for the contest, suggesting the offensive schemes are too isolation heavy. Head Coach Damian Cotter has some work to do, as the Kings simply have to work too hard for their points.
They were also soundly beaten on the glass, where they were out rebounded 48 to 24, an incredible thrashing in one of the most important indicators of effort.
For the Breakers it wasn’t pretty, but they got the win and that is all that counts. Despite 27 turnovers and a dismal performance from behind the arc shooting only 15 per cent, they secured their second victory of the young 2015-2016 season, one that was much needed.
The returning Corey Webster returned and was mainly inefficient, but started on fire and finished with 22 vital points for the home side. Cedric Jackson was also prolific with ball in hand but was careless at times making six turnovers.
Final score:
New Zealand Breakers 74
Sydney Kings 62
Corey Webster returns for the New Zealand Breakers as they look to get their season on track against the Sydney Kings at North Shore Events Centre tonight. Join The Roar at 5.30 pm (AEDT) for live scores and updates.
The Breakers have been listless thus far in this young 2015-16 NBL season, slumping to a 1-3 record after Round 2.
Although Dean Vickerman’s men fell desperately short of victory against the Perth Wildcats (80-83), they have suffered blow out defeats to both the Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers.
As has been the case for much of the season, the Breakers inability to take care of the rock has crippled their defensive rotations.
One need not look further than the 25 turnovers New Zealand accumulated against the Hawks, and the points Illawarra generated from those mistakes (22) to know that it is a major issue.
The Sydney Kings won their first game of the year but have struggled since, especially on the offensive side of the game.
Julian Khazzouh has been exceptional for the Kings; he posted 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Kings’ loss to the Illawarra Hawks (86-100).
Marcus Thornton, an American import, has been sluggish early for Sydney. He is shooting just 29 per cent from the floor and is providing little in the way of play making (just 1.3 assists per game). Thankfully for Thornton and the Kings, the season is still young.
Prediction:
This is not an easy one to read. The Breakers have the home court advantage, but they have not been playing well.
Perhaps the return of Webster will spark them into action, however it seems likely that the game could come down to the match up of Khazzouh versus Charles Jackson.
Jackson may have the slight edge; his length and athleticism could be too much for Khazzouh to overcome down low.
Breakers by 2 points.
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