Basketball: Little mistakes cost Breakers

There's very little between a side with a 7-2 win-loss record and a 2-7 side in the Australian National Basketball League.

But the NZ Breakers (2-7) are still learning how tough life is on the negative side of the ledger after a 90-84 loss to the Brisbane Bullets (7-2) in Christchurch.

The Breakers, in their debut ANBL season, are finding that little mistakes can prove very costly after they pushed the high-flying Bullets all the way in a tense physical battle.

The Breakers had most parts of their game-plan right, with Bullets' stars Kevin Freeman and Stephen Black both kept to six points under their season average.

However, muscular import Bobby Brannen hurt the Breakers inside, tallying a game-high 30 points as he drew half of that total from trips to the free-throw line.

The visiting team also made the most of 42 free-throws, converting 31, while the Breakers could manage just eight from 15.

The Breakers jumped out to a 21-13 lead in the first quarter as their fast break game worked well and they harassed the Bullets into turnovers.

Yet Brannen's inside presence, scoring 15 points in the first 12 minutes, kept Brisbane in touch before some assistance from Black helped the visitors to a 49-47 lead at halftime.

The intense tussle continued in the third quarter and the two sides entered the final quarter at 67-all, but foul problems stung the Breakers as the clock ticked down.

Breakers centre Iona Enosa fouled out as Brannen posed a constant danger in the paint, and the Bullets closed out the victory by making their foul shots down the stretch.

Freeman, who clashed with Breakers' point guard Paul Henare following a dunk, was restricted to 17 points, while Black was also quieter than usual with 14 points.

Casey Frank and captain Pero Cameron led the Breakers' scoring with 13 points apiece as Cameron continued to improve following his recent return from injury.

Breakers coach Jeff Green admitted that some wrong options, the odd turnover, missed shots and crucial calls had all played their part in the result.

He said the Breakers' free-throw shooting was not good enough.

Brisbane were relieved to emerge with a win.

"There was a lot of bumping and pushing and we weren't at our best," coach Joey Wright said.

"But credit to them for pushing us all the way. That's one of the most physical games we have had in the league."

The Breakers next match is at the North Shore Events Centre on November 22 against the West Sydney Razorbacks.

- NZPA