Breakers 109 Razorbacks 95
KEY POINTS:
The Breakers are verging on their first playoff appearance in the Australian National basketball League after demolishing the West Sydney Razorbacks at the North Shore Events Centre last night.
Beat the Perth Wildcats who are also below them on the ladder at the same venue next Thursday and it's all-but a done deal. They also face the last-placed Melbourne Dragons in another points-gathering opportunity in the run home.
They were dominant throughout last night, beating a team they were meant to quite comfortably to provide some assurance they will compete when they get to the final. They looked like they were enjoying their work.
The Razors' first three-point attempt went well wide. So did the Breakers' first shot from beyond the arc but they took the rebound and scored. While it would be trite to say that was the beginning of the end, it got them off on the right foot and they kept heading in the right direction.
It was a fast-paced game to start, with the Razors throwing long balls and desperate passes. But a rash of fouls slowed that down. The home team rode a loud wave of support from a good crowd and led at the first break 30-22.
The Breakers were the more cohesive unit throughout. When one pass did go loose Mika Vukona and Derrick Alston engaged in some horizontal floor-sliding to tip it to each other before Vukona regathered and jumped to his feet to score. It underlined the difference in intensity.
The Razorbacks offered turnovers.
The Breakers took them and extended their lead to 17 at halftime. Good set-up work from Paul Henare, who played his 150th ANBL game last night, and some slick skills from Phill Jones at the basket with assists when not able to score himself, keeping the points coming.
Jones had 15 by the main break, Alston 13, Julian Khazzouh's 10 the only double digit score for the visitors.
The home side were shooting at 60 per cent, the visitors 36.
The Breakers also had the better of the boards, 26-20.
Point guard Darnell Hinson was the Razors' best. Every time he sat down, the home team profited. Kiwi forward Tony Rampton had a useful game but was closed down by hot defence.
