Basketball: Breakers rain down on Kings

Tom Abercrombie of the Breakers dunks the ball. Photo / Getty Images

NZ Breakers 76
Sydney Kings 59

The Breakers wore smiles at the end of tonight's match but for a long time they were grimaces as they stumbled their way to their first win at home this season.

In the end, they won comfortably, thanks largely to some late fourth-quarter scoring and a poor Sydney side, but they took time to find their range in their first game at Vector Arena in front of the biggest basketball crowd seen in this country (6400). The stadium actually had an influence on that.

"Whenever you move to a different venue, the first couple of games you find that the shooting percentages and scoring is low as people get used to the rims and different depths of perception," coach Andrej Lemanis said. "Until people find their range, it takes time."

It took until the second half tonight. Normally good from outside, the Breakers went none from eight from beyond the three-point range as they allowed Sydney to stay in the match. Amazingly, they scored only six points in an eight-minute period in the second quarter as shots rimmed out and frustrations mounted as they saw a commanding lead evaporate. Lemanis was even slapped with a technical foul and he knew his side should have been further ahead than 34-26 at halftime.

It could have been worse. The Breakers led 26-24 with less than two minutes to go in the half before Gary Wilkinson scored eight quick points and rounded them off with a trademark chest thump and double hand wave.

CJ Bruton, the old war horse, helped settle the result with a game-high 21 points, all scored in the second half as he found his range and played more aggressively.

"It was definitely a challenge," he said of playing at Vector Arena. "The first day of practice here we threw up a few airballs.

"But it was a special night for everyone... and the first step in hopefully a lot more games here."

It will be strange, then, for them to return to the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday when they take on Adelaide. It will be another special night, with the banner they won last season to be unfurled, but the keen are keen to make Vector a more permanent home if they can attract crowds like last night regularly.

The Breakers look a well-rounded team this year, despite the time it took to find their rhythm and despite the loss of Kirk Penney.

Cedric Jackson and Daryl Corletto look to be a good acquisitions. Jackson plays at a speed faster than most in the league and his penetration and pass to Mika Vukona in the second quarter was exquisite. He also carries well and hustles on defence. Corletto is a simple player - he doesn't overplay things and knows his game.

The change in personnel has meant a change in approach. Without Penney, they look to penetrate more and play more of an inside game. The fact they had such an unimpressive night from distance (eight from 29) only heightened that.

They also defended well, restricting Sydney below 60 points, and forced 24 turnovers.

"They are a tough team," Sydney coach Ian Robilliard said. "I think they have more balance this year and that will flow at both ends of the court. They are a good unit."

It remains to be seen how good until they are pushed by some of the top sides but their depth is impressive and helped them get out of a difficult patch tonight. When they went flat, there was usually someone to step up.

"I thought it was bloody awesome," Lemanis said of playing at Vector. "It was an exciting environment to be a part of and it lifted our guys. They were excited about playing in front of so many people."

Breakers 76 (CJ Bruton 21, Gary Wilkinson 20, Daryl Corletto 10) Sydney (Julian Khazzouh 16, Jerai Grant 12, Aaron Bruce 11). HT: 34-26.