Basketball: Outbreak of flu hits Breakers

By JULIE ASH

Breakers coach Frank Arsego is hopeful of a full-strength lineup for tonight's crucial match against the Wollongong Hawks at the North Shore Events Centre.

Key Breakers players Dillon Boucher, Pero Cameron and Paul Henare have all been struggling with the flu over the past few days.

Arsego said Boucher, who missed last Saturday's game against the Sydney Kings, was improving, but Cameron missed yesterday morning's training session.

"Just when you need all things to go right to finish the year off strongly we have this little setback," Arsego said.

"But these things happen. We just have to deal with it."

The bout of flu couldn't have come at a worse time for the Breakers.

In ninth place with just two matches to play, they are desperate for a win tonight to stay in the running for a top-eight playoff spot.

The match is also important for the second-placed Hawks who have their sights set on edging out the Sydney Kings to finish at the top of the table.

That would give them the number one seeding and a home advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Breakers have lost to the Hawks twice already this season. In round two, the Hawks demolished them 108-78 but in round nine the Breakers put in a better performance, losing 93-89.

"Things are a little different from the last time we played them," said Arsego.

"Pero Cameron was just coming back into the system and we didn't have Mike Chappell so we have added a little bit more to our repertoire and hopefully that will create a few openings for us.

"The Hawks are a very quick team. They like to run the ball a lot. They are a very good defensive team, they are physical, strong and very quick.

"We'll be under pressure both at the defence end and offence end."

With the Kings, Hawks, West Sydney Razorbacks, Brisbane Bullets, Melbourne Tigers and Cairns Taipans all assured playoff spots, the battle for the final two places appears to be between the Perth Wildcats, the Adelaide 36ers and the Breakers.

The Wildcats have five more games. They face the Bullets, the bottom-of-the-table Hunter Pirates twice, the Hawks and the Victoria Giants.

The 36ers have the Razorbacks, the Tigers and the Breakers in their run to the finish.

If the Breakers lose to Wollongong tonight and the 36ers lose to the Razorbacks and the Tigers, then next Saturday's match between the Breakers and the 36ers could determine who clinches the final playoff spot.