Breakers blow big lead again
Christopher Reive
A fourth-quarter three-point shooting showcase from Jason Cadee sunk the New Zealand Breakers’ hopes of a third-place finish in the Australian NBL, leading the Sydney Kings to a 101-86 win last night.
The home side didn’t lead in the match until the final period, when Cadee caught fire to hand the Kiwi side their fourth straight loss.
The Breakers, who led by as many as 10 points in the match, now go into a playoff series against top-seeded Melbourne United, having given up back-to-back double digit leads.
They managed to blow an 11-point lead in the last 21⁄ minutes against the Illawarra Hawks on Friday.
The Breakers went into the Sydney match with Shea Ili running the point. Edgar Sosa was available off the bench but not used.
As the sides came out of the gates, it was tough going. Neither team seemed to be locked in and missed shot after shot. The fouls, however, were free flowing, with the sides momentum late in the piece when Ngatai committed a foul in trying to get an offensive rebound with less than a second on the clock. The foul sent Blanchfield to the line for two free throws, which he drained.
Then, with the first shot of the fourth quarter, Cadee gave the Kings a three-point lead, which he extended to six points on the following possession.
With a limited bench, the Breakers began to tire and the Kings took advantage, building their way to a 14-point lead with time to play in the final period.
Cadee finished with 30 points, as seventh-placed Sydney ended their season on a high.
The Breakers start their threegame playoff against Melbourne on March 3, while the second-placed Adelaide 36ers take on the Perth Wildcats in the other series. Sydney Kings 101 (Cadee Blanchfield 19) New Zealand Breakers 86 17, Christmas 13) Halftime: 42-48. 30, (Ngatai