Lastsecond win for Breakers
AUCKLAND: A lastsecond DJ Newbill gamewinner has put the New Zealand Breakers on the board in the Australian National Basketball League.
With the game tied and three seconds remaining, Newbill drove to the lane, converting an andone layup to dethrone the Sydney Kings, giving the Breakers an 8785 victory for their first win of the season.
Newbill’s heroics continued Sydney’s horror run in New Zealand; there is something about the transtasman journey which transforms the Kings into paupers.
They have now won just two of their last 15 games in New Zealand, a record further diminished, despite what was a storming second half comeback.
The Kings came down from 14 to level the scores, but Newbill’s bucket — part of a 22point display — was supplemented by Kirk Penney and Shea Ili to get the Breakers over the line.
Penney hit six threes in a 25point outing, while Ili’s allaround production helped the Breakers overcame a sluggish first quarter to eventually clinch the win.
While the Breakers do not appear as the most electrifying in offence, they found themselves ensconced in a highoctane start as both sides found early success from beyond the threepoint arc.
The Kings were causing the Breakers issues defensively with their smaller, stretchier lineup, as their big men rained in early threes. The Breakers struggled to guard them, but kept in touch through a balanced, if a little isolationheavy, offence.
A balanced offence is likely what the Breakers will require this year to be successful. Paul Henare’s side does not have a player who can be consistently counted on for offensive outbursts, instead relying on a roster which goes at least nine deep with solid contributors.
After Tom Abercrombie and Edgar Sosa were the main offensive options in their opener against the Cairns Taipans, this time it was a new trio to boost the Breakers.
Penney’s quick, consistent release from threepoint land was the initial spark for the hosts. Coming off curls and screens, Penney was launching at any opportunity, and was fouled twice on threepointers to enjoy some easy points at the freethrow line.
That gave the Breakers their first lead of the game, and Ili came off the bench to extend it. The NZ NBL standout showed his evolving talent by getting to the rim, taking charges and dropping dimes, stretching the Breakers’ advantage to 13 by halftime.
The Kings slowly chipped away at the Breakers’ lead, but Penney’s continuing production and Newbill’s impressive isolation scoring kept the Breakers in front. That was, however, until the final seconds, when a Perry Ellis tipin created the possibility of a stunning comeback.
However, Newbill ghosted past his defender, went to the rim, and made a memorable early mark in his Breakers career.
The Breakers can quickly build on their success, with their next clash on Thursday, at the same venue, against the same team.
They will be hoping for the same result. — NZME