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.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do us here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016-17 NBL Season as the Illawarra Hawks got a much-needed four point victory over the New Zealand Breakers at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Unfortunately we won't have a blog of either of tomorrow's games, so keep an eye out for previews of them. I'll be back Sunday. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
A big final quarter from the Breakers not enough to get the job done in the end there. Full deserved win by the Hawks, with Rotnei Clarke leading from the front and Marvell Harris stepping up down the stretch. The Breakers were pretty ordinary in the first half, and in the end the margin was just too much to overcome.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Loe slams one home, they get the turnover and Mitchell lays one in but that will be time. That got a lot closer than the game was with the Hawks taking a much-needed win on the road. New Zealand Breakers - 91 Illawarra Hawks - 95
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Martin makes one. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 95
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' That'll do it in Auckland you would think. Penney I think it was misses a three and Martin is then fouled on the baseline. We will walk the floor with 12.2 seconds to go. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' 19.5 seconds and Paul Henare calls his final timeout. Breakers must shoot a quick three and foul fast. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Ellis makes both. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Harris to provide the inbound and it's eventually to Martin and Ellis who is fouled. 19.5 on the clock. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' 24.9 seconds to go here. Five-point game and the Hawks want to call time. We could be in for an insane finish here but the Breakers will probably need to foul fast. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Mitchell misses the second, they get the board, miss again from deep through Penney, get another board and then Loe makes the lay up on the lovely cut through the lane. 25 seconds on the clock. Breakers - 87 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' A full extra two seconds added. 39.8 on the clock. Mitchell misses the first. Breakers - 85 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Just trying to sort out exactly how much time is left on the clock. About 38 seconds. Breakers - 85 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Turnover on the inbound before Ogilvy fouls Mitchell hard. Smart foul. Ogilvy is fouled out! Mitchell to the line for a couple. Big free throws, and given his record - you would think he will miss at least one. Breakers - 85 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' LOE now with a big three from the corner! Seven point game, 40 seconds to go. Has this game got one more twist? Timeout Hawks. Breakers - 85 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The clock continues to run down here and it's all going to be too little too late for the Breakers as Clarke now throws a ball over the baseline. Breakers - 82 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' David Stockton with a massive three from the wing! Breakers - 82 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Penney attacks the rim now but finishes too strong at the glass. The Hawks go the other way, use most of the shot clock and then Harris misses from the high post. Breakers - 79 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Timeout called with 1:47 on the clock. Hawks by 13. Breakers - 79 Hawks - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Marvelle Harris now with a massive three from the wing! Got left wide open there and he is on fire right now! Marvellous. Breakers - 79 Hawks - 92