Basketball: Reality check for Breakers

The Breakers' four match winning streak in the ANBL has come to an abrupt end on Auckland's North Shore.

The Breakers have been thrashed 128-103 by the Cairns Taipans.

Breakers shooting guard Kirk Penney admits it is a tough loss to swallow as they wanted to step up for the injured Rick Rickert, but poor rebounding really hurt them.

Coach Andrej Lemanis agrees his team suffered with poor rebounding at both ends of the court and says that is an area where Rickert has dominated all season. He says they have done a good job of covering their injuries this season but Rickert's absence hurt in this game.

Lemanis says at the end of the day it is only one loss so they will sit down, assess the injury situation and get ready for next week.

Penney led all scorers with 31 points.

The Breakers now have an eight win, six loss record and remain fourth on the ladder. They face the South Dragons in Auckland next Thursday.

- NEWSTALK ZB