Breakers 91
Kings 86
The Breakers continued their happy knack of winning close games last night but they could hardly have been less convincing in seeing off the badly under-strength Sydney Kings.
The late withdrawal of star centre Julian Khazzouh, starting forward Graeme Dann and import guard Patrick Sanders left the Kings, on paper at least, looking a shadow of the side that had won four of their last five to drag themselves off the foot of the NBL ladder.
But that didn't stop the Kings cutting the brittle Breakers' defence to shreds in transition, and picking them apart from the half court to create a steady stream of uncontested lay-ups.
Only a hot offensive night, particularly from Gary Wilkinson (28 points) and Kirk Penney (26) saved the Breakers from what would have been a deeply disconcerting defeat.
Instead their Houdini-like ability to negotiate their way out of tight scrapes again came to the fore.
With 11 seconds left the Kings had cut a five-point lead to one and were pressing for victory. The game was then effectively decided on a refereeing call, with Kiwi point guard Mark Dickel called for an off the ball unsportsmanlike foul that sent Penney to the line. Penney drained both shots, with Kevin Braswell then doing likewise as the Kings intentionally sent the Breakers to the line.
Wins don't come much uglier, even from a Breakers side that has somewhat mastered the art this season.
With just lowly Adelaide to come in 12 days' time, followed by a trip to Melbourne to close out the regular season, the Breakers are running out of chances to display the sort of form they will need in the playoffs.
The likes of Perth, Townsville and Wollongong will hardly be shaking in their over-sized sneakers.
They may have been badly under strength but the Kings began strongly, playing with the freedom of a side that has nothing much to lose.
Import Trey Gilder led the way as the visitors posted a 28-19 lead at the first interval.
The Breakers were there own worst enemies, committing seven turnovers in a quarter during which Penney was kept scoreless.
That was never going to last, though. Mika Vukona provided the energy that had been missing to lead the Breakers on a 9-2 charge to start the second quarter.
They hit the front for the first time courtesy of a Penney drive to the basket with 6.16 remaining in the half, but it was in the final two minutes that they did the real damage, closing with an 11-0 run to lead by nine at the break.
Wilkinson had 16-points for the half, while Penney found his groove for 13 and Vukona chipped in 10.
As good as they were in the second quarter, the Breakers were poor in the third, with the Kings closing to within two points heading into the final frame.
The final quarter was a seesaw affair, with Penney and Wilkinson knocking down the big shots but Gilder countering with some slick play at the other end. The Kings had a chance to win it when Penney was called for a travel with 27 seconds remaining, but for once the Breakers' defence held to close out a 20th win for the season.
