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Phoenix Suns vs New Zealand Breakers: NBLxNBA live scores, blog

Corey Webster. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Expert
4th October, 2018
169

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Phoenix Suns vs New Zealand Breakers

NBLxNBA 2018, Game 4. Time: Fulltime.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, USA
Phoenix Suns New Zealand Breakers
91 SCORE 86
28 Q1 20
24 Q2 22
25 Q3 20
14 Q4 24

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The New Zealand Breakers will travel to America with high hopes of shaking their end of an era tag when they take on the Phoenix Suns in the fifth NBLxNBA clash. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12pm – midday (AEST).

The upcoming NBL season is a crucial one for the Breakers.

Long one of the league’s most successful clubs, success has somewhat abandoned them in the last 24 months and now under new coach Kevin Braswell, this shapes as moving year.

They either need to get their act together and rise up the ladder, or it might really be time to start rebuilding the franchise from the ground up.

A new ownership group, including former NBA player Shawn Marion have come in to take over operations, and with Corey Webster returning to the club, it’s a step in the right direction.

Thomas Abercrombie is also still in the fold, while imports Shawn Long, Richard Patrick and Armani Moore will also have huge rolls to play for the Auckland-based club.

Still, they lack size up front with Majok Majok likely to start at the five as their only genuine centre. While some of their forwards can play the combo centre role, it’s not going to be enough long-term and a problem they need to try and fix on the roster.

The Suns finished 2017-18 with the worst record in the league, winning just 21 of their 82 games.

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It’s been a tough road for Phoenix fans and in all probability, they will miss the playoffs again this time around, but improvement is necessary and something they should be able to achieve.

They have made some quality signings over the summer, with Western Conference finalists Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza both joining the franchise from the Houston Rockets, while Deandre Ayton was the No.1 pick in the draft.

For NBA fans, Ayton is the one to watch in this fixture. He had a huge summer league for the Suns, averaging a double-double across the four games he played, and without equal in the paint from the Breakers, he could run up a huge tally of points and rebounds here.

If the Breakers are to win, they need a fast-paced, high-scoring game with all of their shooters catching fire from the first minute to the last.

Prediction
It’s hard to see the visitors winning this one. Phoenix won’t have a great season ahead, but Ayton should lead them to victory here.

Suns by 14.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 12pm – midday (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

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Game information

Tip-off: 12pm (AEST)
Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: Live, ESPN
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now
Betting: Suns $1.01, Breakers $25

New Zealand Breakers (expected)
Point guard: Corey Webster
Shooting guard: Richard Patrick
Small forward: Thomas Abercrombie
Power forward: Shawn Long
Centre: Majok Majok
Bench: Finn Delany, Armani Moore, Shea Ili, Jordan Ngatai, Tai Wesley, Jarrad Weeks

Phoenix Suns (expected)
Point guard: Elie Okobo
Shooting guard: Devin Booker
Small forward: TJ Warren
Power forward: Ryan Anderson
Centre: Deandre Ayton
Bench: De’Anthony Melton, Isaiah Canaan, Troy Daniels, Davon Reed, Trevor Ariza, Mikal Bridges, George King, Josh Jackson, Tyson Chandler, Dragan Bender

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