Breakers back in final after Adelaide sweep
The Breakers are pausing to inhale the sweet aroma of another trip to the NBL’s grand final before picking up their lunch pails and getting back to work this week.
After completing a remarkable 2-0 semifinal sweep of the hitherto red-hot 36ers in Adelaide on Saturday night with an all-the-way 94-83 victory, the Kiwi club took some time to savour the special achievement of a fourth trip to the Big Dance in five years.
Of course, the Breakers have been here before, having won three straight championships between 2010-13. In fact, they’re 3-0 in grand finals, and intent on improving that record by one.
But assistant coach Paul Henare said it was important for his players to reflect for a moment on what they had achieved before getting back to work preparing for a grand final series that will tip off on Friday night.
Last year’s unsuccessful season had demonstrated vividly the fine line you walk in this business.
‘‘It’s really important for this group to enjoy it, and to sit back and realise the accomplishment of getting back to the grand final,’’ Henare said following a dominant game two effort.
‘‘There’s several guys back from last year and the adjustments we’ve been through, the trials and tribulations, there are some really happy faces.’’
The Breakers’ achievement in so clinically dismantling a 36ers outfit who had won 10 straight heading into the semifinals should not be underestimated. On Saturday night they squeezed the Sixers into 14-point second and third quarters, and cantered home with a lead that extended to 20 before the mid-point of the final term.
Henare credited a ‘‘locked-in’’ mentality, great leadership and championship experience as the key factors in a surprisingly one-sided series.
‘‘The guys make it easy,’’ he said. ‘‘They’re such a focused bunch when their backs are against the wall and when we need to be really locked in.
‘‘For us to sweep the hottest team in the league was just really pleasing.’’
Once again it was a total team effort.
AT A GLANCE
(highest ranked team to host games 1/3): Game 1, Friday March 6 Game 2, Sunday March 8 Game 3 (if req), Friday March 13. Semifinal, game 2 in Adelaide:
(Ekene Ibekwe 18, Cedric Jackson 18, Corey Webster 15, Mika Vukona 12, Tai Wesley 11)
(Jamar Wilson 23, Daniel Johnson 16, Adam Gibson 14, Anthony Petrie 10). 1Q 28-25; HT: 49-39; 3Q: 70-53. Superstar point guard Cedric Jackson set the tone with another stat-stuffing effort of 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals; fellow import Ekene Ibekwe walked the foul tightrope to pitch in 18 points on seven-of-eight shooting; the slick Corey Webster added 15 points (5/11 FG, 6/6 FT); and Mika Vukona had a customarily hard-nosed 12 points.
Tom Abercrombie never quite got his stroke going but still found a way to contribute seven points and five boards, while super-sub Tai Wesley again led the bench effort with 11 points, eight boards and five assists, and all the niggle he could find.
Henare praised Jackson’s influence. In the three years he’s been with the club, they’ve never lost a playoff series.
‘‘He’s an influential player, character and personality on our team. The guys look to him in tough times and in good times. For the most part when Ced is leading us the right way and playing well, the group plays really well.’’
The Breakers had a direct flight back to Auckland yesterday and would have watched game two of the Cairns-Perth series late last night with plenty of interest.
Meanwhile, grand finals hoops will return to the North Shore Events Centre, with regular home Vector Arena unavailable for the first two games of the series. ‘‘That’s fine by us,’’ said Henare. ‘‘When that thing is packed out and the energy high it’s a great atmosphere.’’