Basketball: Victory over Hunter Pirates will give Breakers first series double

The New Zealand Breakers can claim a double over the Hunter Pirates in the Australian NBL tonight at the North Shore Events Centre.

Both teams are in their first season in the league, with the Breakers seeking their second successive win over the visitors.

Round one in the three-game regular season series between the clubs went to the Breakers 104-101 in Hunter last month and a win tonight would clinch the club's first series triumph over another NBL side.

While the Pirates have found the going tough in their first year in the league, the home side will be wary of their improvement throughout the season.

"They're a pretty tough inside team but our 'bigs' have been a strength for us this season, so I think we can match up well there," said Breakers coach Frank Arsego.

"But we have to be aware of the fact that even their big guys shoot the ball very well from the outside, as do their guards, so we will have to make sure we have a hand in their face throughout the game."

The Breakers will have key centre Ben Melmeth and swingman Dillon Boucher, despite the pair battling injuries.

"There's a lot of guys right around the league struggling at this stage with injuries - it's just the toll of the season," said Boucher, who has back and wrist problems.

Melmeth has a foot injury, but like his team-mate is determined to help his side to another victory.

Another Breakers star looking for a big match will be American import Mike Chappell. The former Michigan State University player will play his 50th NBL match against the Pirates. He has led the Breakers' scoring averaging 21.2 points a game.

The Pirates (2-20) went down 112-97 on Wednesday night to the Townsville Crocs.


Breakers: Pero Cameron (captain), Ben Melmeth (vice-captain), Paul Henare, Lindsay Tait, Phill Jones, Aaron Olson, Dillon Boucher, Paora Winitana, Mike Chappell, Iona Enosa, Blake Truslove, Mike Homik.

Hunter Pirates: Allen McCowan, Geordie Cullen, Miles Pearce, Peter Barnett, Matt Shanahan, Josh Morgan, Chris Brown, Travis Lindstrom, Kevin Brooks, Michael Kingma.

- NZPA