KEY POINTS:
The Breakers will attempt to back up from one of the best displays in franchise history when they take on the 36ers in Adelaide tonight.
Just 48 hours after knocking off the defending champions Brisbane Bullets 127-126, the Breakers will once again be on court, this time looking for a first victory this season on Australia pine.
Thursday night's win levelled the Breakers' season record at 4-4 and took them to eighth on the ladder.
They have already defeated the 36ers (2-6) this season, easing to a 116-109 victory in Auckland a little over a fortnight ago. But coach Andrej Lemanis knows he will have a tough task getting his players to replicate the intensity they displayed against the Bullets.
"It is a huge challenge for us because Thursday was quite an emotional game," Lemanis said.
"We were up for it and we played with intensity. Now we need to find a way to get ourselves up for [tonight]. It is a challenge but that is what good teams do and we want to be one of those good teams. We need to find a way to get it done."
The numbers from the victory over Brisbane were impressive. The Breakers had six players with double-figures points tallies.
Tony Ronaldson (24) led the team on his most productive outing for the club, while Rick Rickert (21) and Kirk Penney (20) were also in the 20s. Rickert added 10 rebounds to record his now customary double-double. Mika Vukona also achieved the feat, with 10 rebounds and 10 points.
The Breakers shot a remarkable 65.8 per cent from the field in the first half and, despite a cold spell in the second, still shot 58 per cent for the match.
They were also effective from distance, particularly in the second half when they nailed 10 of 19 three point attempts.
"It's a sign that we are locked into playing team basketball," said Lemanis of the stats.
"We are switched on to our game mentally and all playing well together."
Former Breaker Dillon Boucher endured a miserable night, managing just a single rebound and not contributing a point while picking up four personal fouls in just eight minutes of court time.
Fellow Tall Black Craig Bradshaw fared better with 12 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.
Lemanis was delighted with the way his side responded after letting a 19-point lead slip in the fourth quarter.
"It was a gutsy performance by our guys. A good team like Brisbane is always going to make a run at you and we showed real character and heart to weather that and then make the big plays down the stretch.
"The thing to take out of it is that we are pretty good when we are mentally switched on and into the game.
"That is how we need to play in order to be successful."
The 36ers head into the match having lost five on the bounce and their past three encounters with the Breakers.
Veteran point-guard Brad Davidson will return for the 36ers after recovering from an abdominal tear that coincided with the start of the club's losing streak.
The Breakers will be at full strength, with back-up point guard Paul Henare appearing close to recapturing his best form after his return from knee surgery.
