THE PLAYOFF PICTURE
The New Zealand Breakers will shoot for a fourth Australian NBL championship in five seasons when the playoffs get under way this week. Who: Cairns Taipans, NZ Breakers, Adelaide 36ers, Perth Wildcats. Final order will be determined after today’s final regular season action, but Cairns and NZ are guaranteed to finish top two, and take home advantage into the first round. When: The Breakers will host either the 36ers or Wildcats in a three-game semifinal series to start at Vector Arena on either Thursday or Friday this week.
BREAKERS BALLING: Corey Webster 15.7ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.6apg Cedric Jackson 14.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 6,0apg, 0.9spg Tom Abercrombie 11.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.1apg Ekene Ibekwe 11.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.86bpg Mika Vukona 8.0ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.6apg. 3 REASONS THE BREAKERS CAN WIN IT ALL 1 Their back-court. In Cedric Jackson and Corey Webster they have the perfect mix of explosiveness and sharpshooting. Will only go as far as these two carry them; though a little bit of Rhys Carter magic will help. 2 Experience. Jackson, Webster, Vukona, Abercrombie and Pledger all know what it’s about at this time of the year, and have three championships to prove it. Ibekwe and Wesley are also hardened competitors who won’t shrink under the playoff glare. 3 Defence. When the attitude is right and the minds are dialled in, these guys know how to put the heat on. Defence wins titles and the Breakers know that better than anyone. Having Pledger back to protect the rim alongside Ibekwe helps. 3 THINGS THE BREAKERS NEED TO DO BETTER 1 Bench scoring. Ibekwe’s promotion to starting duty and Pledger’s foot troubles have reduced production badly here. Dean Vickerman needs Tai Wesley and his bench unit to bring more punch than they’ve shown of late. 2 Shoot free-throws. It’s the easiest shot in the game but the Breakers waver between wobbly and atrocious in this key stat. Jackson (59%), Ibekwe (62%) and Abercrombie (66%) all need to up their percentages. 3 Adjust their game-plan. The Breakers generally shoot the three-ball well but when it’s not dropping they’ve shown an inability to find production elsewhere. Got to make the changes in-game at playoff time.