Basketball: Breakers still aiming for playoffs

The New Zealand Breakers have calculated they must win at least seven of their last 11 games if they are to salvage their season and make the play-offs.

Critics have virtually written their season off in the Australian National Basketball League, but the Breakers camp feel otherwise.

In their last five matches the Auckland-based franchise has recovered well but fallen at the post on four occasions. In the game they did win they went into overtime to beat Perth by just one point.

The big guns of the competition, Sydney, Adelaide and Wollongong, are now behind the Breakers, making the run home a little easier.

Of the 11 remaining matches, it is probably tomorrow night's game against Melbourne in Auckland that is causing the team the most concern.

The Tigers are fresh from a 17-point win over Adelaide last night.

Breakers coach Frank Arsego said it would be interesting to see how the Tigers bounced back after a night of high emotions.

"The reality of an early morning flight over to New Zealand to take on a desperate side will be sure to test their resolve," he said.

"We have always played well against the Tigers and I am sure they will remember their last New Zealand match when we put them away by 15 points."

The Tigers exacted revenge for that game with a similar 15-point win in the only clash between the two sides so far this season.

- NZPA