KEY POINTS:
With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the New Zealand Breakers play Wollongong Hawks in a make-or-break Australian National Basketball League match at North Shore Events Centre tonight.
The Hawks have lost five matches in a row to be 10th in the 12-team league, while the Breakers have dropped their last nine matches, eight of them away from home, to be 11th on the ladder.
Captain Paul Henare said yesterday it was hard to think of a more crucial game in the Breakers' history.
"Our play-off hopes, which were so promising just four or five weeks ago, are hanging by a thread and we're well aware of how important this clash is," Henare said.
Coach Andrej Lemanis added: "Mathematically, we're still in with a shout."
The Breakers, who have won just seven of 17 matches in the current season, had to beat the Hawks to stay in the running for a top eight finish.
"We have nine games left, including five at home, but most, if notall, need to be won if we're tobe involved in the post-season."
The Breakers are well aware of the Hawks' strengths, with the offensive threat of Cortez Groves, Glen Saville and import Adam Ballinger and the height and ability of Tall Blacks Tony Rampton and Casey Frank.
"Tony and Casey are doing a good job for the Hawks, but I'm confident Ben Pepper and Tim Behrendorff will match their intensity and have good games," Lemanis said.
The Breakers have won just two of the previous 10 encounters between the clubs, both victories achieved in the two home encounters last season, and Lemanis said defence would be the key to improving that record.
"Taking away their easy baskets is crucial, particularly in transition.
"If they run and do what they want instead of us forcing them into a half-court game it will be a long night for us."
As usual the Breakers will look to import Carlos Powell to lead the way. He has been on fire for the Breakers all season and is leading the league in scoring, having averaged 28.8 points per game in 24 appearances.
- NZPA
