Basketball: NBL leaders shape up for showdown

Kevin Braswell of the Breakers. Photo / Getty Images

Runaway Australian NBL leaders New Zealand Breakers and Perth - the team they want to succeed as champions - are set to test their title credentials against each other on Thursday.

The Breakers (16-3) continued their seemingly unstoppable run to the minor premiership with a 101-91 home win over Melbourne (7-13) on Friday.

It was their sixth straight win and their 11th in their past 12 games.

Perth (13-9) missed a chance to improve their chances of finishing second, splitting their NSW road games. They enjoyed a 98-84 win over Sydney (4-16), but crashed 105-73 to Wollongong (10-11) the following night.

Two other challengers for second spot met yesterday, with Townsville (12-8) scoring a 81-74 win over Cairns.

Perth travel to New Zealand for a match that could reveal a lot about both teams' title aspirations and give the Breakers a chance for payback.

The Wildcats were responsible for inflicting the biggest defeat on the Breakers this season, a 114-74 thrashing in November.

Guard Kirk Penney and forward Gary Wilkinson both starred against Melbourne on Friday. Penney made five of seven three-point attempts.

Wilkinson made a double-digit scoring contribution for the 12th straight game.

- AAP