Basketball: Breakers finally fix it as season comes to an end

SYDNEY - Two months ago Andrej Lemanis may have thought differently but for now he doesn't want the New Zealand Breakers' Australian National Basketball League campaign to end.

Normally a trip to the Sydney Entertainment Centre is a pointless exercise but, to emphasise the Breakers' belated late-season resurgence, the competition lightweights forged an unexpected 115-104 win on Sunday night to leave the three-time defending champions and their fans gobsmacked.

The Kings were meant to create history with a 20th consecutive win - and join Adelaide circa 1986 as the holders of the competition's greatest home record.

Lemanis, who has endured an 11-game losing streak in his first season in charge, was left to ponder what might have been as he contemplated one of the franchise's finest hours.

"I only wish it happened a little earlier. I don't think anyone would want to face us in the play-offs now.

"Hopefully the momentum we've built will carry us into next season.

"We have to go forward with a core group of guys."

It has taken a while, and the Breakers' 9-21 record on the road is still unflattering, but the Australian believes the blocks are in place for a better showing in 2006-07.

"We've won more than 50 per cent of our matches since December. We're much more further advanced now."

With play-off hopes already dashed, the Breakers had nothing to lose and shot at an impressive 52 per cent from the field (38-of-73), with the reigning champs and title favourites finishing with 43 per cent (37-of-87).

The Breakers have two games left, against the second-placed Melbourne Tigers this week.

- NZPA