Basketball: Breakers better but still lack cohesion

Brisbane Bullets 103 NZ Breakers 97

The Breakers produced an improved performance at Trusts Stadium yesterday, but the same old problems continued to haunt them, namely a lack of consistency and cohesion.

The Breakers started without forwards Rich Melzer and AJ Majstrovich yesterday, leaving them short up front. Guard Clifton Bush was also ruled out with injury.

Casey Frank, who was with the franchise in year one, was drafted in yesterday morning when Majstrovich (knee) withdrew.

Frank played little part in the first half, more in the second as the fatigue of others demanded it, but although enthusiastic was clearly not up with the team systems.

The American-born player still awaits New Zealand citizenship and so is still considered an import, but his value to the franchise may well increase once that is not the case.

It is understood the Breakers have been scouting for another forward, checking the status of some who have been with the Tall Blacks, including Brendon Polyblank.

Melzer will be out for three to four more weeks with infection in the knee cut he suffered last month. Bush has a back problem which may keep him out longer.

Brisbane did not look the title favourites they were touted as when the season began, but the Breakers still struggled to stay with them. There were too many lost balls, they frequently took too long to get shots off and, when they did, they were lacking accuracy.

Brisbane led all the way, the gap ranging between two and nine points, six the difference at halftime, 51-45.

Ben Pepper kept the Breakers in it, five-from-10 field goals and 10-from-10 free-throws for 20 points at the break, along with eight rebounds.

He was their best, finishing with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams looked more organised in the third period, the Bullets producing combinations to stretch their lead to 81-68 by the last break.

If the home side had played the whole game as they played the last minutes they might have won.

A rare three-pointer from Aaron Olson, who now attracts more than his share of defence, plus some drives from Lindsay Tait lifted them, but it was too late.

It was the Bullets' first win away this year. The Breakers are yet to earn one, but have the chance to consolidate with two more home games, the next one at the new Manukau Events Centre against Sydney, then Perth at Trusts Stadium.