Breakers big playoff push
It’s not exactly make or break time for the Breakers, but they have left themselves little room for error if they are to reach the Australian NBL playoffs.
The Kiwi franchise is among a group of teams scrapping to get into the top four, with last week’s loss to the league-leading Sydney Kings leaving them seventh, three wins behind the fourthplaced Brisbane Bullets.
Coach Kevin Braswell believes 15 wins should be enough to feature in the post-season, meaning the 8-10 Breakers will have to win seven of their 10 remaining games.
And the big playoff push starts with a challenging but very winnable two-game road trip against the Illawarra Hawks and last-placed Cairns Taipans.
‘‘It’s not desperation time but you can’t let any more games get away that you have a chance to win,’’ Braswell said.
After an inconsistent first half of the season, the Breakers have played their best basketball over the last month.
Two weeks ago, they knocked over the 36ers in Adelaide and Perth Wildcats, who are both ranked above them, in the space of two days. They also pushed the Kings for three-quarters before a late lapse cost them a thirdconsecutive victory.
Import Shawn Long has been at the heart of their revival, with the American big man dominating the paint at both ends of the floor. And he’s determined to continue to lead the way at the business-end of the campaign.
‘‘Coach is putting in plans to give me the ball more instead of just rebounding and blocking shots,’’ Long said. ‘‘He’s actually letting the guys give me the ball more – and they’re comfortable with me now.
‘‘Being one of the younger players, I’ve always had the older guys to be [the leaders] but sometimes it’s OK for the younger guys to step up and be that guy.’’
The Breakers are undefeated against both Illawarra and Cairns this season, although the sixthplaced Hawks are coming off a confidence-boosting upset over the Kings.
Even the lowly Taipans have shown signs of life lately. They have only won three games all season, but two of those came in their last four starts.
Braswell is taking nothing for granted.
‘‘Both of them are playing different from when we beat them last time,’’ the coach said. ‘‘Illawarra is playing good and Cairns is playing probably the best basketball out of any team right now.’’
At a glance
Illawarra Hawks vs NZ Breakers
Friday 9.50pm (NZ time), WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong Cairns Taipans vs NZ Breakers
Monday 9.50pm (NZ time), Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns