Basketball: Retiring Grace rolls back the years in defeat of Breakers

It may have been the beginning of the end for Ricky Grace, but the NBL legend rolled back the years to lead Perth Wildcats to a comfortable 129-91 win the New Zealand Breakers at Challenge Stadium in Perth last night.

Grace stunned Wildcats fans on Thursday when he announced he was calling time on his 15-year NBL career at the end of the season.

Despite Perth's hopes of a home final disappearing before tip-off, after Melbourne failed to beat Brisbane in Queensland, nothing could spoil Grace's party.

The 38-year-old anchored the home team with 19 points, while new Wildcat hero Rosell Ellis firmed up his club MVP chances with a stunning all-round performance.

For NZ, only the 213cm frame of Ben Pepper and the long range accuracy of Mike Chappell troubled Perth - but from the first buzzer it always "Amazing" Grace's night.

With an admirable sense of occasion, Grace opened the proceedings with a three pointer from the top of the key - sparking a 14-point run to establish Perth's superiority very early on.

But a succession of Wildcat turnovers allowed the Kiwis back in, a nine-point run of their own reducing the deficit to five.

A three-pointer on the buzzer from Tony Ronaldson reasserted Perth's authority, and then in a mirror image of the first term Perth sped out to a commanding lead before the Breakers fought back in the second term.

The reintroduction of Grace sparked Perth again while Pepper, despite a dislocated finger, offered the Breaker's only resistance with a similar tally.

A 19-point half time advantage quickly blew out to 24, until Chappell's silky long-range shooting, and some hustle from former Wildcat Ben Thompson kept the contest interesting.

But with the trip across the Tasman taking its toll on the visitors, Perth steamed home, with Ellis the leading light.

The forward finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks - helping seal the eventual 38-winning margin, easily Perth's largest win of the season.

Perth and the Breakers will face off again in Perth on Sunday, where Scott Fisher's men will warm up for a sudden-death play-off with either Brisbane or Melbourne on the road.

- AAP