Breakers cling to finals dream
Missing the finals would leave a sour feeling in the stomach of star Breakers import Scotty Hopson.
The Breakers continued their resurgent ways, holding off a stern challenge from South East Melbourne Phoenix 92-83 in their ANBL regular season finale in Christchurch on Friday night.
It was the 11th win in 14 games for the playoff-chasing Breakers, who have won six of their last seven, but it still might not be enough to sneak into the top four.
Victory lifted the Breakers to a 15-13 record, but they will need to rely on other results to edge their way into the post-season.
Melbourne United and Brisbane hold 14-13 records with both having a game to play. The Melburnians are the biggest threat to the Breakers. Knock over South East Melbourne in the local derby today and United are in, courtesy of their superior points percentage.
The Breakers looked a trainwreck to begin the season, starting 2-8, but have shown plenty of character and tenacity to turn their campaign around.
American stud Hopson, who continued his stellar play with a game-high 23 points, 10 assists and five rebounds against the Phoenix, said it would be tough to get so four.
‘‘I mean it will be somewhat of a disappointment. We expected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. We’ve had to overcome a lot and like coach [Dan Shamir] said we took care of business [against the Phoenix].
‘‘We’ve had a season of ups and downs and I think guys stayed resilient throughout the year. We’re just going to let the chips fall the way they may.’’
The Breakers were well below their best against the Phoenix, but did enough in the key stages close and not make the of the fourth quarter to grind out a tough victory against their gritty opponent.
Centre Rob Loe was industrious on both ends of the floor, registering 18 points on 7-10 shooting, while grabbing five boards. Finn Delany and skipper Tom Abercrombie also knocked down critical threes in the last minute.
Given the way they had played since late December and the self belief in the squad, Hopson said the Breakers could be a handful in the finals, if they could get there.
‘‘I think we could do a lot. I think we can win some games – win a lot of games.
‘‘I put us up against anybody and I’m pretty confident in those guys in the locker room and myself and this guy right next to me [Shamir].’’
Beating the Phoenix means the Breakers finals hopes aren’t quite extinguished yet. Shamir said it wasn’t over until it was over.
Whatever happened, he praised the way the players had stuck together through the turbulent times and stayed in
(Scotty Hopson 23, Rob Loe 18, Tom Abercrombie 18, Sek Henry 14)
NZ Breakers 92
South East Melbourne Phoenix 83
(John Roberson 15, Dane Pineau 14, Adam Gibson 12, Ben Madgen 11, Kyle Adnam 10, Devondrick Walker 10). 46-39.
HT:
contention for the finals.
‘‘We did what we had to do and I’m going to stay in the mindset that the season is still on and we’re going to wait for the result [today],’’ Shamir said.
‘‘We got it done and that’s added to the last 14 games. We’ve played the right way and came back to the race and that’s a great thing the players have done.’’
Funnily enough, South East Melbourne, who drop to 9-18 in their debut ANBL season, are the ones who could help the Breakers today against their crosstown rivals, United.
Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell just wanted to snap their sevengame losing streak to end the campaign and wasn’t concerned about assisting New Zealand.
‘‘I ain’t give a s..t about the Breakers. I’m not here to do ’em favours. Bugger ’em. I don’t care.
‘‘We’re going to go worry about ourselves and we’re going to give our best against Melbourne. I don’t really care about the Breakers.’’