KEY POINTS:
With nine games of the regular season to go, the Breakers want to keep control of their own destiny in the race for Australian National Basketball League playoff spots.
Seventh on the table, the team are determined not to let the season's hard work slip away, says high scoring guard Kirk Penney.
The Breakers play fifth-placed Gold Coast Blaze at the North Shore Events Centre tonight as they seek to consolidate their place in the top eight who qualify for the playoffs.
"We are currently in a position on the table where we control our own destiny and we'll have to work hard and play well down this stretch of the season," Penney said.
Six of the remaining nine games are against sides that are now in the top five.
Although only four of the final nine games are at home, Penney remains confident.
"I like the fact we have games against some genuine title contenders at the business end of the season," he said. "If we want to compete in the post-season we need to be playing our best basketball - nothing better than to be honing our skills against the top teams."
Coach Andrej Lemanis also sees the positives in the difficult final third of the season.
"We're playing everybody who is in the same position as us so the games are doubly important - a win for us is a win they don't secure, so it has more impact on our respective positions on the points table."
Lemanis is well aware that the Gold Coast will turn up for their first game in New Zealand with all guns blazing.
The teams have met only once, back in November, but the Breakers' 11-point win (90-79) remains the Blaze's biggest defeat in their rookie season.
Having three foundation Breakers in their ranks - Pero Cameron, Casey Frank and Ben Melmeth - also provides the visitors with motivation.
"They have good experienced talent and they'll be all fired up for the return match," said Lemanis, "especially as it's a contest that will decide our individual series this season."
- NZPA
