The New Zealand Breakers have extended South East Melbourne’s winless begin to the NBL season by grinding out an 81-79 victory of their residence opener.
The Breakers trailed by as many as 10 factors within the first quarter as either side struggled to get their eye in at Auckland’s Spark Enviornment on Sunday.
However MVP fancy Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 factors, seven assists, 4 steals) hit back-to-back baskets on an 11-0 run within the fourth quarter that proved essential for Petteri Koponen’s facet.
Ex-NBA ahead Matt Harm sank a three-pointer within the last seconds to chop the Phoenix’s deficit to just one level and make the Breakers nervous, however time was in opposition to the guests.
Final season’s picket spooners have now dropped their first three video games of the brand new marketing campaign.
But it surely wasn’t all doom and gloom as star recruit Nathan Sobey shook off a troublesome first two video games with the Phoenix to search out his rhythm on each ends.
The 2020 Olympic bronze medallist put up 10 factors within the house of two minutes throughout half-time, touchdown a floater from a troublesome angle, then forcing a timeout simply earlier than the break when he drove via the basket on a three-point play.
Sobey completed as the sport’s high scorer with 24 factors at 47 per cent taking pictures accuracy from the sphere.
However when Sobey missed a bunny on transition within the last minute, the Phoenix had given themselves a mountain to climb, down seven factors with the seconds ticking away.
NBL championship winner and fellow Phoenix recruit Derrick Walton was stored quiet, taking till the ultimate 70 seconds of the third quarter to internet his first factors.
He and fellow guard Sobey each fouled out within the last minute because the Phoenix wanted a gentle hand to drag the Breakers again in.
Breakers centre Freddie Gillespie had 5 factors and 4 rebounds on his return from a suspension incurred for headbutting Sydney Kings guard Shaun Bruce within the pre-season.
The Breakers now head to the US for a collection of friendlies in opposition to NBA sides, whereas the Phoenix will desperately attempt to snap their shedding streak on the highway in opposition to Adelaide on Thursday.
