Breakers in playoff push
There was barely a pat on the back, let alone the popping of a cork, for the New Zealand Breakers as the New Year closed in.
Sure, the struggling threepeat Aussie NBL champions had ticked off a gritty 99- 83 victory over the Kings in Sydney on Sunday afternoon to halt a three- game losing skid, and improve their record to 5- 9.
The improbable playoff push remains possible.
Reason enough for elation, if not celebration, you would think. More so when you factor in they did it without 2.13m centre Alex Pledger ( ankle sprain) and with a lineup that had size the Smurfs wouldn’t have found intimidating.
But behind a fabulous 31 points from rejuvenated American big Gary Wilkinson, a sniper- like 21 from an improving Kerron Johnson and a bunch of cameo efforts from the supporting cast, the fading champs did enough to get up on the back of a strong ( 36- point) final quarter.
Assistant coach Paul Henare said it was the sort of performance that suggested his men had finally responded to the adversity that’s been a constant for most of this campaign.
‘‘ At a crossroads you can go one of two ways – you can accept the challenge head- on, or you can fold and start making excuses. I’m glad we took the right turn. We decided to accept that challenge,’’ he said.
Henare said Wilkinson had simply responded to a massive challenge in the only way he knows, but he also reserved high praise for Johnson who showed signs he’s starting to figure things out in his rookie year as a pro.
‘‘ I’m just happy to see him have a great game,’’ said Henare of an effort that saw the young point guard earn 13 trips to the free- throw line.
The other pleasing aspect was the fact the Breakers still found a way even with starters Tom Abercrombie and Mika Vukona both sitting out much of the first half with foul trouble.
‘‘ The guys who came off the bench kept us in the game, and even got the lead.’’
But the Breakers still have their challenges. Predictably, with only two legit bigs, they struggled on the boards and giving up 19 offensive rebounds should have the alarm bells ringing with the huge Adelaide 36ers up next.
However, as Henare confirmed, there was barely a high- five exchanged in the wake of a desperately needed win. With a trip to the secondplaced 36ers up on Saturday, they will have to play even better with Pledger expected to still be out.