New Zealand Breakers vs Melbourne United: NBL live scores, blog

The stakes are huge in New Zealand tonight, as the Breakers fight to hold onto the final playoff spot, while the minor premiers Melbourne United look to build some more momentum heading into the semi-finals next week. Tune into The Roar from 5:25pm (AEDT) for live scores and updates.

In what is one of the most exciting final rounds in recent NBL memory, Friday night could potentially decide the final four and thus, the teams fighting for the NBL championship.

For United, the stakes aren’t as high as they were just a few days ago. With the Perth Wildcats resting their starters and losing to the Sydney Kings on Wednesday night, Melbourne has secured top spot on the NBL ladder. For them, these last two games against the Breakers pose a chance to build some momentum and most importantly stay healthy, as the finals tip-off at Hisense Arena on Thursday Night.

New Zealand on the other hand is still fighting for their playoff lives. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed like the reigning champions were left for dead, as they had lost seven of nine and with the resurgence of the Adelaide 36ers, the Breakers were on the outside looking in.

Things have changed lately though, with the Breakers now winning three consecutive games, including a 22-point thrashing of the aforementioned 36ers. Plenty of scenarios are possibilities this weekend, so lets take a look at some which could occur on Friday night.

If New Zealand defeat Melbourne tonight and on Sunday Afternoon, they make the finals, unless Adelaide wins both their games this week, both of which are on the road in Illawarra and Perth. In this case, both teams would have a 16-12 record and percentage would decide who finishes fourth. At the moment, New Zealand has a percentage of 101.67%, with Adelaide right on their tails, sitting at 100.95%.

If the Breakers and 36ers both flop and loss all their games this week, New Zealand are in.

The finals picture could be completed tonight though. For that to occur the Breakers would need to defeat United and they would need the 36ers to lose to the Hawks. In fact, if New Zealand wins once, Adelaide would need to win both their games to make the finals.

Confused yet?

A key for a Breakers win tonight is that they simply cannot get caught up in all of the possibilities we just listed above. All New Zealand need to do is win – what the 36ers do is out of their control.

New Zealand’s late-season turnaround has been made possible by the sensational play of their All-Star backcourt – Cedric Jackson and Corey Webster.

Jackson has been a steady force all season long but has picked it up lately, putting up 20.5 points, 7.3 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game over the past four. He, along with Mika Vukona, are the heart and soul of this Breakers team, so expect them to do literally anything it takes to get the victory.

Webster, one of the NBL’s most proficient scorers has suffered through an extremely frustrating inconsistent season. To his credit though, Webster has stood up when the Breakers have needed him most, scoring 23 points a night on 58 percent shooting over the past two wins.

“We’re more relaxed, we’ve been here before at this end of the season and we know how much it means to get into great form coming into playoffs.” Webster told NBL.com.au. “We’ve got a lot of experience so we’re just going to keep on riding that.”

Stephen Holt has been on fire for United over the second half of the season, hitting 49 percent of his three-point shots over the past six contests. Watching him and Chris Goulding go up against Jackson and Webster twice this week will be a treat for NBL fans.

Prediction
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Breakers tonight and their championship pedigree will shine tonight. United have literally nothing to play for and they won’t play spoiler tonight but they also won’t make it easy for New Zealand.

Breakers by 4.

Can the Breakers take one step closer to securing a playoff spot tonight or will United stop them in their tracks? Find out tonight by following along with The Roar from 5:25pm (AEDT).