Basketball: Breakers surprise with win over NBL favourites

The New Zealand Breakers have given their upcoming Australian NBL campaign a major boost with a 96-93 win over glamour team and title favourites the Sydney Kings.

Without a win during last weekend's official pre-season tournament, the Breakers upset all predictions in front of a sell-out crowd on Wednesday night, leading 31-24 at the first break, 59-49 at halftime, and 79-69 at the three-quarter mark.

The Kings launched a massive counter-attack to nudge ahead midway through the final quarter but, after the lead changed hands seven times in three minutes, were eventually foiled by some last minute scores from Brian Wethers, Paul Henare and Aaron Olson.

Wethers starred for the Breakers with 25 points, four rebounds and four assists, Carlos Powell gathered 20 points, 13 boards and three steals, and there were also useful contributions from Olson, back-up guard Adam Darragh and centre Ben Pepper.

Playing without captain Jason Smith and new recruit Russell Hinder, the Kings received outstanding value out of Luke Kendall, who caused havoc in the final quarter and ended with 22 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

The Breakers had been comfortably beaten by the Kings at the Blitz tournament last Friday, when they turned the ball over 18 times against the locals' high-intensity defence.

Coach Andrej Lemanis had consequently called for more composure on the ball for Wednesday's rematch and mostly received a favourable response.

Sydney's last pre-season assignment before they start the 2006-07 season is against the Woollongong Hawks at the Snakepit tomorrow, while the Breakers will begin their NBL commitments on September 26 against the South Dragons.