Basketball: It doesn't get easier for the Breakers

By JULIE ASH

After four consecutive losses life doesn't get any easier for the New Zealand Breakers, who take on two top-four teams in a double-header weekend.

The Breakers, languishing second to last in the Australian National Basketball League, face the defending champions and competition leaders the Sydney Kings tonight in Sydney, and then the West Sydney Razorbacks 24 hours later.

"We are sort of on the back of four losses and we have to play the No 1 team in the competition and then West Sydney who are currently fourth," said Breakers guard Phill Jones.

"You could say it is going to be another tough week."

The Breakers went down to the Brisbane Bullets last Friday, when once again a lapse in concentration midway through the match cost them dearly.

"In basketball there are always teams that have lapses and teams that have runs.

"It is just something you have to minimise and at times we let it go on for too long," Tall Black Jones said.

"I think it is to do with experience. As we play more games the guys are getting more experienced so we just have to try and cut down such lapses as much as possible."

With just four losses after 13 rounds the Sydney Kings are well on track to defending their title.

"We have to be on top of our game if we want to compete with them. When things start going bad they know when to pull up and just ride out the tough times and take the open shots when they get them.

"I think that is something we need to learn from them."

The Breakers and the Kings have met only once so far this season and that was just over two weeks ago when, despite a spirited fightback late in the game, the Breakers went down 93-83.

"They got away on us because we had one of those lapses again," Jones said.

West Sydney have been the form team in recent weeks and will go into their match against the Breakers with plenty of confidence having beaten them twice already this season.

"They are playing really well at the moment.

"They have got Sam MacKinnon and John Rillie and Simon Dwight - three big players."

The Breakers have opted to take Lindsay Tait, a specialist point guard, in place of guard Paora Winitana. There is also some concern over centre Ben Melmeth, who is struggling with a strained tendon in his foot.

With just six wins from 21 games, the Breakers are now 11th in the 12-team competition.

However, with 12 matches to play there is a logjam between 8th and 11th spot, which means the Breakers could still secure a playoff spot.

"There is a real sense of urgency because if we lose too many more games then we are going to be out of it or we are going to be relying on other teams to win and lose and that is not a good situation to be in.

"We need to start winning games and we'd love to come home with two wins but we'll just concentrate on one game at a time and see how we go," Jones added.

The run in

v Sydney Kings (a) tonight

v West Sydney Razorbacks (a) tomorrow night

v Townsville Crocs, Christchurch, Wednesday

v Townsville Crocs (h) Saturday

v Hunter Pirates (h) Jan 24

v Perth Wildcats, Christchurch, Jan 28

v Perth Wildcats (h) Jan 30

v Victoria Giants (h) Feb 4

v Hunter Pirates (a) Feb 6

v Sydney Kings (a) Feb 14

v Wollongong Hawks (h) Feb 18

v Adelaide 36ers (a) Feb 28