After overcoming a serious bout of stage-fright last week to post their first win, the Breakers will be out to even their season ledger against the Adelaide 36ers tonight.
With the injury-hit 36ers without first-choice point guard Brad Davidson, the Breakers will start strong favourites in their last
home game before a three-match road trip.
Last week's victory against Townsville, when they overturned an early 15-point deficit to sneak home by a point, provided a timely boost for a side struggling with anxiety issues.
"Everyone is feeling a bit better about life," coach Andrej Lemanis said. "I guess the monkey has come off [our backs] a little bit now and we should be playing a bit freer. I think we'll build from here."
The Breakers still languish near the foot of the league in field goal percentage, but Lemanis said the number of easy shots being missed had more to do with nerves than any lack of ability.
Last week's win, which wasn't sealed until a last-gasp Crocodiles shot bounced off the rim, was also encouraging, Lemanis said. "It is important to believe you can win in those situations. Obviously you'd like to win by 20 points but this is a tough league."
The Breakers have point guard issues of their own, with injured Tall Black Paul Henare not expected to join them until they play Melbourne on October 27. In the closing stages last week, Lemanis opted for a combination of Kirk Penney and Phill Jones at point instead of specialist Ryan Kersten after standout American Wayne Turner had fouled out.
The injury to Henare has left Kersten, 21, exposed at crucial times.
"When Wayne fouled out I wanted to keep the experience on the court," Lemanis said. "It was a big occasion to put on to Ryan as a rookie. When the game is on the line, sometimes there is nothing like experience."
The Breakers may be up on confidence but they won't want a repeat of last week's shocking start when they were almost blown away in the first quarter. Lemanis said: "The guys have talked about it and addressed it and I am confident that they'll come out focused."
