Basketball: Amped Breakers gunning for Kings

Kevin Braswell has recovered from a wrist injury that was affecting his shooting. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The well-rested Breakers will be at full strength for tomorrow's trip across the Tasman to face NBL strugglers Sydney Kings.

A nine-day break after the 100-79 rout of Gold Coast Blaze last Thursday has helped the 6-2 Breakers return to peak fighting trim as they look to maintain the pressure on league leaders Wollongong.

Point guard Kevin Braswell had been the main injury concern, with a blow to his wrist affecting his shooting and passing ability in recent matches.

His erratic shooting has been a concern for the Breakers this season but Lemanis said the American was now injury-free.

"Kevin will be 100 per cent on Sunday," coach Andrej Lemanis said.

Before last night's match against the Blaze, which finished after this edition of the Herald went to print, the Kings had lost five straight since opening their comeback season with a win over Melbourne Tigers.

Import Rod Grizzard was a victim of that poor run, with the American NBL veteran axed in favour of Patrick "The Colonel" Sanders.

A 1.98m forward, Sanders has been brought in to boost a Kings offence that has been nothing short of terrible.

"They [the Kings coaching staff] have told me they are looking for someone to put the ball in the basket," Sanders told a Sydney newspaper. "They've said they expect 40 points from myself and [fellow import] Taj McCullough."

Playing overnight would have helped Sanders gel with his new team but it would also have given the Breakers a chance to scout him, defensive linchpin Dillon Boucher said.

"While he will get some court time for them it also means we will be able to see him play," Boucher said. "He will change the dynamics of their team but Julian Khazzouh is the dominant player so our main focus will be to slow him down."

Coping with Khazzouh, the league's best centre, would be vital to the Breakers' chance of repeating their season-opening 83-70 victory over the Kings, Lemanis said.

Despite his team's struggles Khazzouh is fifth in scoring with 17.5ppg and leads the league in rebounding with 9.7. He also rates second in the league in steals (1.7) and fifth in field goal percentage (60.7).

"The game plan is no different for us, we will play how we play, up tempo and disruptive defensively," Lemanis said. "We need to deal with Khazzouh and ... put pressure on their defensive transition."