Breakers v Taipans - Expert picks

The Taipans kept Kirk Penney quiet in game two. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Breakers host the Cairns Taipans in the NBL title decider tonight. Who have the experts picked?

Kenny Stone: Auckland Pirates coach

Breakers by more than 10

It will be an exciting game but I don't think it will be close. I'm picking the Breakers to win by more than 10.

It will be higher scoring than the last one, I'm looking for more movement out of them, better offensive execution but it will be a battle. But I think the Breakers will prevail in the end.

What the Breakers have shown throughout the season is that when they have one bad performance they've been able to come back from those. We saw that in the Perth series and they learnt from that. They'll make some adjustments and understand their roles and we'll see an improved performance from them.

Chris Tupu: Nelson Giants coach

Breakers by three

It could be an issue if Kirk Penney does have problems with his back. With a fit Kirk I thought they could pull it off at home. The momentum is with Cairns, having held home court advantage they have nothing to lose when they come here with a team that matches up quite well against the Breakers.

They missed a lot of early shots in game one, they did have a lot of good looks but they just didn't knock them down. The Breakers' start is critical and if they get the ball rolling, get the crowd into the game and start hitting their shots they're going to be tough. If the Taipans can hang around and keep pace with them it's going to be close.

I've got a hat in both camps with Mika Vukona and Josh Bloxham lining up for the Breakers and Phill Jones the captain of the Giants. It's going to be a great match-up.

Andrew Mulligan: Breakers commentator for Sky Sport

Breakers by 12

It's going to be close. It's not going to be like the first game and I think both teams, not just in the first quarter but in the first half, will be a bit uptight just because of the occasion and I think the Breakers got caught out a bit through the whole game of game two. It will be close in the first half but I don't think the Breakers will have two bad shooting nights in a row.

I think they won't find it as hostile as other teams do playing in Cairns but I think the atmosphere will lift the Breakers more than it will affect the Taipans.

They say the injuries aren't a factor but I'd like to see it firsthand. Cairns will try and exploit that and they'll be really physical with Kirk Penney. It worked the first time and they did a great job switching on defence on him. However the Breakers have too many weapons for the Taipans to handle.