Tiring Breakers let their lead slip away
The Illawarra Hawks rebounded from their last-start loss to Sydney to keep their finals chances well and truly alive with a much-needed 75-67 win over the New Zealand Breakers in Launceston on Monday night.
New Zealand led for most of the match as NBL Round 16 continued but they tired noticeably in their fifth game in 10 days and were overrun in the final quarter by a rampant Hawks attack.
Tyler Harvey was virtually unstoppable with the rock in his hands, finishing with 29 points including three triples.
But it was Justin Simon (12 points, six rebounds) who sealed the result with a huge block on Thomas Abercrombie in the final minute that denied any chance of a Breakers comeback to go with his stifling defence all evening.
Sam Froling was also influential with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.
While there was no doubt that Harvey and Simon were the stars, Hawks coach Brian Goorjian paid credit to young players Daniel Grida, Emmett Naar and Froling for their role in their win.
“Their role is so important right now with the guys we have out,” he said.
“We had made moves this season to bring some young guys up and play them around certain guys. Those guys aren’t playing right now, so those young guys have a lot of pressure on them.
“Our only chance, our only hope in this is to play off our defence. The group played with great defensive energy on that end, the desperation, the fight in them is something that I am really proud of.”
Abercrombie (14 points, four rebounds) and Tai Webster (14 points, five assists) paced the Breakers while William McDowell-White was a strong contributor in the absence of a hamstrung Levi Randolph with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.
It was not enough, though, and it just might have slammed the door shot on the Breakers hopes of storming into the #NBL21 finals.
Disappointed Breakers coach Dan Shamir admitted fatigue got the best of his side after playing five games in 10 days.
“Every loss is tough, we are disappointed every time we lose,” he said.
“We really struggled with our offence (in the second half) with turnovers and our shot making, maybe there was a little bit of fatigue.
“We tried to do the right things, and at the end of the game we didn’t do them exceptionally great in the second half, but it was already a bit of a mess.
“Overall, it is a disappointing loss, it is part of life, I feel like the guys gave their best.”
Shamir said Randolph has suffered a minor hamstring tear and would miss some games, although it is unknown exactly when he will return.
“We don’t know how long, but it’s not going to be too long.”
It was a huge match for both sides in terms of their finals hopes, as they both are heading into a string of home games to finish off the season. It was the Breakers’ final game in their home away from home at The Silverdome where the Tasmanian locals have embraced them this season.
The win keeps the Hawks chances of going from last season’s woodenspooners to a finals team well and truly alive — especially with seven of their final eight games to be played in Wollongong.