Hoops

Perth v NZ Dec 6th

No, the Breakers did not outrebound the Wildcats again, MC, we won that count 35-31.

Frustrated by letting two big leads slip (not least because of what it did to my name...), but encouraged at both being able to get those leads in the first place and in the team's ability to perform in crunch time. Led from start to finish and this despite having a number of players having uncharacteristically down nights.

Suffice to say, the current Breakers may not fear the Wildcats, but neither does this Perth side (especially Ennis, Beal and Jervis) fear the Breakers. Any number of very exciting potentials for the finals make-ups.

Disagree with your USF interpretations. I thought the refs got it right.

Agree that the Cats got away with one. NZ looked the more convincing team to me when the heat was on.

Cats got away with that one I reckon. Breakers shot better % from everywhere and their defence was better. Pledger is a goof and should have got unsportsmanlike for his foul on damo especially compared to Ennis unsportsmanlike.

NZ just might peak for the playoffs making them dangerous.

I still think the title is going to Perth this season but I wouldn't be writing off the Breakers just yet.
Credit to Perth for closing out the game.

Arrrrgh! Gawdsake, you had them out to double digits twice!

Yeah, I'm sure it will get on the nerves of both players being called like that.

They need to let Vukona-Redhage go. It's not like one of those two are soft players.

Broken thumb, CJ Bruton states that he believes Wilkinson will miss as it gets treatment.

Vukona-Redhage will no doubt be the source of a lot of soft fouls. We already know Mal Cooper intends to get refs to tighten the screws again. Both sides just have to hope they get the better of the early foul count. Noisy home crowd could help here...

Damn! I would have thought Wilkinson would have provided a headache for Perth.

Matchup of the night will be Vukona-Redhage. Hopefully the refs won't call soft fouls in that matchup, just let 'em go.

Without Wilko, a Perth win looks pretty solid.

Shayne Hope just reported that Gary Wilkinson has injured his thumb at training and is in doubt.

haha nice nathan

Let me put some skin in the game here - if this is anything other than a double-digit win for Perth I'll spend the next week posting as "Nathan of New Zealand Breakers!"

Last time nz were in Perth they were cutting down the nets.

NZ knocked off Townsville at home and then took out a lacklustre Melbourne at home in a round where the referees let people get away with pummelling folks. Let's not oversell this...

Oh who am I kidding, this is the same board that had people tip the Sydney Kings by 15 in *both* Perth Arena games, go hog wild folks! :D

NZ? No chance. Perth by a million.

I like Perth's chances but I also hope it's a competitive game.
Heaps of kiwis always come out for the Breakers games here & create a top atmosphere.

I'm hoping that they'll give the Wildcats a run for their money, a win in Perth is a big ask for any team. A win would be 3 in a row and the Wildcats being #1 with only one loss is a decent scalp to build on. A loss isn't the end of the world or the season either but if the Breakers want to contend for the championship they will need to start stringing some wins together sooner rather than later.

Two.

Lock, stock and two smoking barrels

How big of a shot would you say?

NZ have a shot at this

Our last two games have been going to overtime on the back of our worst FT% of the year, whereupon we geared up and hammered Cairns 14-4 in OT, and before that was a 43 point hitjob and the Arena the Breakers are about to play at.

There is a gulf between "the Breakers are playing better" and "will win by 7 as long as Mika and Abercrombie don't foul too much".

Particularly when you consider the refs are likely bringing the shackles back out after last round...