Abercrombie ready to power up against Wildcats

BASKETBALL

Marc Hinton Tom Abercrombie is ready to get his hands dirty this week if that’s the way it has to be against the Perth Wildcats.

It looks like it could be all hands to the wheel if the Australian NBL-leading New Zealand Breakers (7-1) have to head to the Perth Wildcats (3-3) without American Will Hudson, who is in doubt with an ankle sprain.

Hudson rolled his ankle at yesterday’s training session and was rated highly doubtful for Thurs- day night’s second game of the season between the two sides who contested that memorable grand finals series in April.

The Breakers fly out tomorrow and the team physio made it clear no chances would be taken with Hudson, who needed to be right ‘‘for the rest of the season’’.

If Hudson failed to recover in time, the Breakers would go in severely under-sized against the most aggressive rebounding team in the league. Power forwards Mika Vukona and Dillon Boucher, who are small for their positions, will likely be asked to platoon as Alex Pledger’s backup.

That would also mean Abercrombie and backup Leon Henry would need to log time at power forward and get their long bodies on the boards. However, Abercrombie believed playing small ball could work for the Breakers as they prepared to tough it out against a side that employed physical defence.

‘‘It can create some good mismatches,’’ said Abercrombie, who has played power forward.

‘‘As long as you don’t get too exposed at the other end, it can work to your advantage.

‘‘We’re quite a small team anyway, and Perth like to play a lot of small ball. It’s nothing new for me or Leon, and we can share a few minutes there if need be and can certainly mix it up.’’

Abercrombie also emphasised the Wildcats’ plight – losing three straight, including their home opener on Friday night – was not a factor in terms of what they would face on Thursday (11.30pm tipoff, NZ time).

‘‘That doesn’t change anything for us,’’ he said. ‘‘If anything, it makes them more dangerous.

‘‘Every time we go over there, they’re pumped up. It’s always a fiery encounter and I’m sure this time will be no different.’’

The Wildcats, who thrashed the Breakers in Auckland in week one of the new season, are sure to be bristling after being challenged by their coach over the weekend’s 65-69 loss to Adelaide in front of nearly 12,000 fans.

‘‘To me, they’re playing scared and that’s the thing I’m gutted about,’’ said Rob Beveridge after his team lost for the second time in a week to the 36ers.

‘‘Our players have to man up, it’s as simple as that.’’