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
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results: 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 Jacson 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
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to come so stay tuned for that. Thanks for joining me tonight for The Roar's live coverage of the 2015-2016 NBL Season! I'll be back next weekend for more live action. Goodnight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS LEADERS: Townsville Crocodiles: Points: Jordair Jett (15), Clint Steindl (13), Nicholas Kay (12), Mitch Norton (10) Rebounds: Leon Henry (8), Corey Maynard, Nicholas Kay, Clint Steindl (5) Assists: Corey Maynard (3), Clint Steindl (2) Blocks: Leon Henry (3) Steals: Jordair Jett (4), Nicholas Kay (2) New Zealand Breakers: Points: Charles Jackson (22), Thomas Abercrombie (19), Corey Webster (17), Cedric Jackson (13) Rebounds: Thomas Abercrombie, Alex Pledger (7), Charles Jackson, Cedric Jackson (6), Mika Vukona (5) Assists: Cedric Jackson (7), Mika Vukona (3) Blocks: Charles Jackson (2) Steals: Cedric Jackson (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS: Field Goals: Crocodiles (29/70 @ 41%), Breakers (34/62 @ 54%) Three Pointers: Crocodiles (5/25 @ 20%), Breakers (5/20 @ 25%) Free Throws: Crocodiles (12/18 @ 66%), Breakers (13/31 @ 41%) Rebounds: Crocodiles (32), Breakers (36) Assists: Crocodiles (14), Breakers (14) Steals: Crocodiles (7), Breakers (3) Blocks: Crocodiles (3), Breakers (5) Turnovers: Crocodiles (14), Breakers (11) Points in the paints: Crocodiles (36), Breakers (42) Second chance points: Crocodiles (6), Breakers (9) Points off turnovers: Crocodiles (6), Breakers (16)
Scott Pryde
Expert
SCORING BREAKDOWN: 1st Quarter Crocodiles 15 - Breakers 28 2nd Quarter Crocodiles 19 - Breakers 13 3rd Quarter Crocodiles 25 - Breakers 18 4th Quarter Crocodiles 16 - Breakers 27 OVERALL Townsville Crocodiles 75 New Zealand Breakers 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full stats and report to come.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Managed to miss this:
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME Ili makes one from the line and that will be that. Commanding win for the Breakers in the end, although the scoreboard doesn't totally reflect the effort of the Crocodiles. Crocodiles - 75 Breakers - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Djeric goes for the three ball and can't hit, before Shea Ili races down the floor in transition and is fouled. Every point counts with the percentage. Crocodiles - 75 Breakers - 85
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Mitch Norton was also fouled out. Crocodiles - 75 Breakers - 85
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Webster makes the first, and then the second. Crocodiles - 75 Breakers - 85
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Quick possession by the Crocodiles and it is Steindl who makes the three point bomb from the wing. The Breakers now manage to take 10 or 15 seconds before Webster is fouled. 14.7 seconds to go. Crocodiles - 75 Breakers - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' 39.2 seconds to go and the fans are starting to head for the exits Vukona misses the first but makes the second. Crocodiles - 72 Breakers - 83
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' From the inbound the Crcodiles go to Kay at the top of the key after some sloppy play. Vukona pulls down the board and is fouled. Crocodiles - 72 Breakers - 82
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Time out Crocodiles. They need quick shots here and then to foul as fast as possible. Crocodiles - 72 Breakers - 82
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Abercrombie misses the first but makes the second. Crocodiles - 72 Breakers - 82
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Jett doesn't waste any time on this play going straight into the paint scoring. Vukona does the same at the other end. Jett misses this time, before Kay pulls the board down and Steindl misses from outside. Abercrombie it looked like was fouled intentionally. Crocodiles - 72 Breakers - 81
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Cedric Jackson misses both. Crocodiles - 70 Breakers - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Kay now drives into the paint and scores for the Crocodiles before Cedric Jackson is fouled. Maynyard fouled out. Crocodiles - 70 Breakers - 79
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Crocodiles now need a bucket. Jett goes to Steindl before Kay drives into the paint and Vukona with the massive rejection!! At the other end Vukona scores in the paint. Crocodiles - 68 Breakers - 79