The Tall Blacks were handed one piece of exciting news yesterday by being drawn in the same pool as the USA at this year's world cup in Spain.

Now they nearly find themselves in a position of strength, the Breakers can afford to acknowledge a few weaknesses.

When you have to win a faux playoff series just to put yourself in contention for the post-season, you know something hasn't gone quite right.

The Breakers will fail in their quest for a fourth straight minor premiership, while home advantage in the finals is but a pipe dream.

The Breakers began a crucial stretch in the season in the best possible fashion last night, dispatching the Wollongong Hawks for a vital victory.

The Breakers will be seriously tested against the top-of-the-table team tonight, but they face another obstacle in addition to the Perth Wildcats.

He leads the league in fouling while being the Breakers' most important player - two attributes which do not mix smoothly for Mika Vukona.

Gary Wilkinson knew it was coming. So did Dean Vickerman. The American's 31-point haul against Sydney surprised few within the club.

Holiday break means struggling side can regroup and aim high.

The Breakers face their toughest test of the season in Perth tonight but the battle on the court won't be the only competition taking place.

In an astonishing win tonight, it was Mika Vukona who stood-up for the Breakers in their win over the Melbourne Tigers sending the losing side home licking their wounds.

Friday's last-second loss to Adelaide offered a microcosm of what's gone wrong with the Breakers.