Basketball: Breakers danger has Kings on full alert

SYDNEY - Sydney Kings may sit atop the Australian National Basketball League but coach Brian Goorjian is taking nothing for granted against the desperate and depleted New Zealand Breakers tonight.

The rank outsiders are missing suspended power forward Pero Cameron and injured centre Ben Melmeth but Goorjian - the Australian national coach - expected the under-sized New Zealanders to still prove a handful at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

"A lot of the teams in the league couldn't take being without players like Cameron and Melmeth - I think they can. Their strength is their depth," he said.

"Obviously they'll have to field a smaller lineup, but they'll use quickness and players like Phill Jones, Mike Chappell and Paul Henare.

"I think they have very good speed and some great perimeter shooters.

"This season, teams like Adelaide and Brisbane with smaller, quicker guys, have taken us off the dribble and caused problems."

The Kings won their first two clashes by comfortable 10-point margins to become the inaugural holders of the Bondi Shield, but the Breakers are on a five-match winning streak and need to take their last three games to have a chance of qualifying for the play-offs.

Goorjian said the fact the Breakers could still make the top eight guaranteed they would be regarded as a hugely dangerous opponent.

"Everybody's playing for their lives and they're on a winning streak - I'm sure we'll see their best."

The Breakers are at least accustomed to coping without Cameron and Melmeth.

Skipper Cameron missed the season's first six matches with foot and knee injuries and Melmeth has logged only 17 appearances due to thigh and foot injuries.

Star import Mike Chappell sent a tremor through the camp when a lower back strain limited his training this week but the American will suit up and shoulder the scoring responsibility with Jones and Aaron Olson.

In the absence of Cameron and Melmeth forwards Blake Truslove and Iona Enosa face the daunting task of keeping the Kings in check under the basket.

Goorjian said the clash with the abrasive Breakers would be a useful tune-up exercise ahead of the play-offs.

"We're working on defensive fundamentals, our running game and our execution under pressure. I'm sure we'll get tested on these things by New Zealand." he said.

New Zealand Breakers: Paul Henare, Lindsay Tait, Aaron Olson, Phill Jones, Paora Winitana, Dillon Boucher, Mike Chappell, Mike Homik, Blake Truslove, Iona Enosa.

Sydney Kings: CJ Bruton, Luke Martin, Bradley Sheridan, Ebi Ere, Chris Carrawell, David Stiff, Matthew Nielsen, Brett Wheeler, BJ Carter, Graeme Dann, David Barlow, Adam Bauk.

* TV: Live on Sky Sport 1, 9.30pm today.

- NZPA