When Andrej Lemanis was appointed Breakers coach, Paul Henare didn't really know what to think other than hope Lemanis would last more than one season.

The party has continued on home soil for the New Zealand Breakers after their historic three-peat championship win.

The patrons lingering in the lobby of a Perth hotel didn't know what hit them when the NZ Breakers arrived to celebrate a "special moment for NZ basketball."

The NZ Breakers have won a sensational, tight final 70-66 to claim a record third win in the Australian NBL. Kris Shannon of APNZ was in Perth to capture the atmosphere.

In a talented Breakers backcourt boasting multiple rings and even NBA experience, a junior partner has quietly established himself as an integral part of the title defence.

The recipe for any championship team usually requires a few hardened veterans, mixed in with some homegrown youth and capped by a couple of influential recruits.

One-time NBL crowd-kings Townsville are looking for new owners after crippling financial losses forced the club's backers to hand back their licence yesterday.

Just one night of work separates the Breakers from their dynasty dream after the defending champions opened their grand final series against Perth in dominating style.

Watch a replay of our live updates from the Breakers NBL playoff final against the Perth Wildcats and the Warriors NRL clash with the Rabbitohs.

With the formality of the regular season followed by a semifinal series sweep, all that separates the Breakers from further history is their great rivals, Perth.

The New Zealand Breakers qualified for the third successive NBL grand final after sweeping Sydney today, setting up a long-awaited rematch with great rivals Perth.

The end may be nigh for Andrej Lemanis' reign at the Breakers but don't expect the club to crumble should the coach move to pastures new.

It seems implausible but the defending champion Breakers could now be considered underdogs to take a third title.