Bullets ready to take their chances

BULLETS centre Tom Jervis says the rebounding against New Zealand was “unacceptable’’ and Brisbane need to muscle-up in the paint against Sydney tonight.

The Bullets fell to a 96-89 loss to the Breakers in Auckland on Thursday night when the biggest difference between the teams was the lopsided rebounding count (44-31) in favour of the league-leading home side.

Critically, New Zealand had 16 offensive rebounds from 36 missed shots which gifted the Breakers a telling 21 secondchance points.

Combined with a drop in defensive intensity, Brisbane all but shot itself in the foot as it crashed to its eighth loss from 12 outings this campaign.

Ahead of tonight’s cellardweller clash with the Kings at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, Jervis said rebounding would be the sharp focus in the quick turnaround between road games. “There was good things in the [Breakers] game bbut in terms of where we want to be as a team, that’s unacceptable,’’ he said.

“It’s about locking in the defence and coming down with the rebounds. Winning the rebounding war puts us in a good position.’’

Jervis had 20 points against the Breakers to go with four rebounds and one assist.

Brisbane made a conscious decision to replace injured big man Cameron Bairstow (knee) with a guard this season and use swingman Reuben Te Rangi more as a power forward option.

Injuries and illness have sidelined forwards Anthony Petrie and Mitch Young at various times to rob the Bullets of more rebounding power.