Bruton set to net 500
VETERAN guard CJ Bruton is set to achieve a major milestone as the New Zealand Breakers attempt to bounce back from a seventh defeat of the NBL season.
The Breakers face Melbourne today, after opening a two- match road trip with a 95-91 defeat to competition leaders Perth.
If Bruton takes the court against the Tigers, he will become just the 12th player in the league to clock up 500 appearances.
The son of former NBL player and coach Cal Bruton, the ex-Australian Boomers point guard says it will be a proud moment.
‘‘Having a father who has been involved in the game, inducted in the Hall of Fame and done what he has done — he has passed that longevity on to me, the knowledge of the game too,’’ he said.
‘‘Yes, it is a milestone, but the real reason I’m still playing is to win another championship.’’
Bruton, who turns 38 next week, has been involved in six title-winning campaigns during a 19-year career, including the Breakers’ successes of the past three seasons.
But the Auckland-based club have plenty to do to claim a record fourth successive championship after their defeat to Perth on Friday left them in sixth spot with a 4-7 record.
The Wildcats’ two imports, James Ennis and Jermaine Beal hit 31 and 30 points respectively.
The Breakers were down by 18 points at one stage but did well to fight back and put themselves back in contention.
Gary Wilkinson led their scoring with 19 points and eight rebounds.
In Townsville, Steven Markovic nailed eight three-pointers to lead his Townsville Crocodiles to a hard-fought 98-94 win over the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night.
With his side struggling in the second half, Markovic (31 points, 4 assists) stepped up to hit his eighth three to put the Crocs up one with three minutes remaining. Import Josh Pace (18 points) then hit two straight shots to the seal the game for the Crocs, ending the 36ers six-game winning streak.