Basketball: Fiery fans to greet Wildcats

New Zealand Breakers coach Frank Arsego hopes the fans will turn up the heat for NBL rivals Perth in Christchurch tonight.

Arsego remembers what the Breakers endured during their visit to Western Australia last month, when they lost 98-86 to the Wildcats.

"For us, it was a pretty hostile environment we played in," he said. "Their fans were really into it and we hope our fans come back at them in the same way."

The Wildcats pulled out to a big first-half lead in that match before the Breakers made a determined but unsuccessful effort to catch up.

Arsego said his players had worked on ensuring Perth did not get the same start this time.

The Breakers had been surprised at how physical Perth were, and would be ready for a repeat.

He said the mid-table Wildcats were a tough side, who less than 10 months ago were in the grand final.

"They've lost a few key players, but they're still tough."

The Christchurch fixture is the first of a double-header between the two sides, with the second match in Auckland on Friday night.

The Breakers are likely to be without star centre Ben Melmeth for both games. Melmeth went off during the 110-100 win over the Hunter Pirates on Saturday with a recurrence of a foot injury.

The Breakers will need a minor miracle to make the playoffs - with seven matches to go, they are second-bottom after an 8-18 win-loss record - but Arsego said motivating the players had not been difficult.

He said observers at their training session were amazed at its intensity. The main reason was the players' responsibility to themselves, fans and sponsors.

But at the same time, they were not yet absolutely out of the post-season.

"I haven't researched the maths, but if we went on a winning streak, would we have enough to get into the finals?

"Perth do have four games in hand on us. But if they drop two to us, it will certainly close the gap and make the race home a little more interesting."

- NZPA