Basketball: Crunch time for Breakers, 36ers

Kirk Penney of the New Zealand Breakers. Photo / Getty Images

The desperation to reach the Australian National Basketball League playoffs is evident for the Adelaide 36ers.

Despite carrying a back injury, influential captain Adam Ballinger has confirmed he will take on the New Zealand Breakers in their game on Auckland's North Shore this evening.

Swing man Tom Abercrombie is making a faster than expected return from an ankle injury, but not quickly enough to play for the Breakers tonight.

The Breakers must win most of their remaining six games and hope other results go their way to reach the play-offs.

The New Zealand side will be desperate to find a solution to their '4th quarter blues' problem.

Last week's debacle against the Melbourne Tigers was the fourth time this year the Breakers have lost after leading into the final segment.

After being ahead by the huge margin of 17 points, the Breakers choked to a 89-94 loss.

* * *

In last night's action, the Melbourne Tigers continued their late-season charge at a finals berth with an upset 100-86 victory over the table-topping Perth Wildcats. It is the Tigers' fifth straight win and lifts them up to fifth on the league table.

Meanwhile, the Wollongong Hawks remain clear in fourth after a 93-86 win over the Townsville Crocs.

- NEWSTALK ZB