Breakers opener 10 days off, draw revised

BASKETBALL

AUCKLAND: The Breakers will open their Australian National Basketball League season on Sunday, January 17 at the Perth Wildcats.

The ANBL has issued a revised tworound draw just four days before the season was due to commence.

It also hopes that the Breakers will play some games at home in Auckland this season.

The Breakers’ second game will be at the Adelaide 36ers on January 20.

Covid19 outbreaks in New South Wales and Victoria have forced teams based in those states to scatter before what should have been the season opener this weekend.

The Breakers were originally based in Melbourne, but relocated to Tasmania last week because of the outbreak in Victoria.

The 202021 season will tip off on Friday, January 15 with a blockbuster doubleheader to open the league's 43rd season.

Last season’s finalists the Cairns Taipans will meet the Hawks before reigning champions the Perth Wildcats take on Melbourne United as they begin their campaign for a third consecutive title.

NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman said: ‘‘I want to thank all of our clubs, players, officials and our fans for their patience and understanding as we have prepared for the season.

‘‘We’ve always said this will be a season like no other and to expect the unexpected.

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the league would ‘‘wait and see how things progress around the country over the coming weeks before we finalise the schedule for the following three rounds leading into the NBL Cup in the Melbourne NBL hub’’.

‘‘These changes will give of our Australianbased clubs the best opportunity to each play 14 home games across the season and be part of the NBL Cup in Melbourne starting on February 20, the biggest event we have ever staged with all nine teams playing 36 games across four weeks.

‘‘We are also very hopeful of the New Zealand Breakers being able to play some home games in front of their fans in New Zealand later in the season.

‘‘The New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix are currently based in Hobart, the Sydney Kings and the Hawks are in Albury and Melbourne United is in Cairns. This ensures they can train and travel relatively freely and minimise any risk of further disruptions to the season schedule.’’ — RNZ