KEY POINTS:
Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis is confident his players will not pay for the exertions required to notch their latest Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) win.
The Breakers remained on track for a top-eight playoffs berth for the first time after launching an epic comeback to beat Perth in Auckland last night.
Now, they have to regroup quickly before playing the South Dragons in Melbourne tomorrow night, with just two regular season games after that assignment.
Lemanis admitted his key players clocked up more minutes than anticipated as they stormed back from a 19-point deficit midway through the second quarter to beat Perth 93-83.
"It was an emotional game, it was an energy-sapping game," Lemanis said today.
"Perth are a really physical team. They bump and hold you a lot, so it was taxing on the bodies.
"We've got to travel today and get up mentally tomorrow. It's difficult, but everyone knows what is at stake so we shouldn't have too many problems with motivation."
Lemanis believed the Dragons' position at the foot of the table belied their talent.
He did not need to be reminded that the Breakers have already lost to Shane Heal's side in Melbourne this season.
"It's going to be another tough game. Every game on the road is tough. We've simply got to make sure we continue focusing on the processes that have made us successful.
"We've had some disruptions with injury, but the team have never wavered in the face of adversity and we're starting to have faith in our style, so the confidence levels are certainly there."
The Breakers, seventh in the standings with a 14-win, 12-loss record, have included Tony Ronaldson in their squad to play the Dragons.
He is unlikely to play because of an achilles problem, but will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.
Breakers
Paul Henare, Orien Greene, Paora Winitana, Phill Jones, Kirk Penney, Oscar Forman, Mika Vukona, Tony Ronaldson, Derrick Alston and Tim Behrendorff.
- NZPA
