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In what was for the most part a lop sided game, the New Zealand Breakers have emerged 11 point victors at the Townsville Entertainment Centre against a Townsville Crocodiles outfit that gave them an almighty scare.
Leading by 13 after the first quarter, the Breakers were right on top of the game and it was really looking like it might be an incredibly long night for the Crocodiles.
The second quarter started in a similar fashion to that of the first quarter, however the turn around in the game would be launched in the final minute of the first half. Still trailing by 12 points, the Crocodiles would launch an offensive raid to cut the lead in half, dropping two massive three pointers to close the half.
The third quarter would continue to give the Breakers a scare as the Crocodiles came right back into the game and at one point managed to get themselves into the lead.
It was all on the back of the fantastic Clint Steindl and Jordair Jett combination, however in saying that the likes of Leon Henry and Mirko Drejic really stepped up at times off the bench to rally the Crocodiles back into the match.
By the end of the third quarter, the match was all square and it looked like we were set for a cracking final quarter of action.
For the first four minutes of the final period it was exactly that. High paced, action packed and neither team giving an inch, however from there the Breakers gradually pulled away with the game.
In much a similar fashion to the first quarter of the game, the likes of Cedric Jackson, Charles Jackson and Corey Webster combined to put the Crocodiles away. Mika Vukona and Thomas Abercrombie, the other members of the Breakers starting five also played big roles, particularly when the pressure was on during that third quarter.
The Breakers free throw shooting will be of particular concern to them moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Crocodiles lacked offensive creativity at times and it in the end is probably what cost them the game along with some very poor interior defence which couldn’t stop Charles Jackson on his way to 22 points.
The Breakers now play the Sydney Kings at home, while the Townsville Crocodiles face the Adelaide 36ers both at home-and-away in a couple of must win matches.
Tonight in Townsville though, it was the New Zealand Breakers pulling away down the stretch as they were too good for the Crocodiles.
Final Score:
Townsville Crocodiles 75
New Zealand Breakers 86
The Townsville Crocodiles host the in-form New Zealand Breakers at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:15pm (AEDT).
This is the Crocodiles’ second game without former captain and import Brian Conklin. Their first was a resounding success – facing the Cairns Taipans in the second ‘reptile rumble’ for the season, Townsville walked away with a resounding, 14-point victory.
In a match they were not expected to win, the Crocs came out and played excellent basketball, hanging in through the tough times as they have done so many times this season.
While Jordair Jett led the way with 26 points, it was the new front-court combination of Nicholas Kay and Mitchell Young who really stood up.
While the Crocodiles’ defensive game, inside presence and rebounding have been poor on a majority of occasions this season, they stood up on Wednesday, with Young grabbing 13 boards and Kay 12 to give Townsville a plus 13 rebounding advantage.
They will need more of the same if they are to win against the Breakers front court combination of Charles Jackson and Mika Vukona, with Thomas Abercrombie and Corey Webster joining the party as rebounders.
The problem with giving the Breakers any sort of advantage in rebounding, especially on the offensive end, is the amount of catch-and-shoot guys they have. Webster, Cedric and Charles Jackson’s put-back ability gives the New Zealanders too much of an advantage for the Crocodiles to overcome.
The Breakers sit in third place with an 8-5 record, and last time out they recorded a dominant 21-point win over the Wildcats. The win did not come on the back of one or two plays – as some of their other displays have – rather, it was a whole team effort.
In saying that, Webster’s impact is where this game could be won. He is the leading scorer in the NBL, averaging almost 25 points per game, and if he is not shut down things could get ugly.
Prediction
The Breakers are on fire, and it’s hard to see them losing – even against a revamped Crocodiles outfit.
Join The Roar for live coverage of this important Round 9 match from 7:15pm (AEDT), and don’t forget to comment if you’re following along with the action.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde