Basketball: Breakers hang hat on their defence

Led by Alex Pledger's shut-down defence under the rim, the benchmark has been set. Photo / Photosport

Breakers coach Paul Henare received an early Christmas present in the gritty Australian NBL win over Perth but has another couple of items on his wishlist.

With a fortnight between games and a chance to enjoy the festive season, the coach's mood was improved last week when his side held the Wildcats to their second-lowest total in franchise history.

But while such a performance provided Henare with the defensive amendments he'd been demanding, there are still several improvements to be made when their campaign resumes.

The Breakers (8-9) are fifth in the Australian NBL, a standing better than they would have expected after suffering a stretch of five defeats in six games.

Such is the parity in this year's competition, it would surprise no one if the playoff places were determined in the final week, with a winning record not necessarily a prerequisite for the post-season.

But if the Breakers wish to position themselves well ahead of that potential scrap in the home stretch, they must show more consistency while reducing their turnover count and, to compound the challenge, do it all on the road.

Henare's men are 2-6 in away games this season and, with seven of their final 11 outings across the Tasman, they will have the first chance to reverse those road woes in Sydney on December 30.

The Breakers are still turning over the ball at an alarming rate - coughing up 20 even in the triumph over Perth - and have struggled to put together a complete performance, allowing a historically poor Wildcats side within six points with four minutes to play at Vector Arena.

But his side's defensive efforts were enough to ensure the Christmas dinner wouldn't come with a sour taste in the Henare household.

"I'm definitely not content," the coach said. "But from a basketball point of view, in terms of being happy this Christmas, the guys have shown themselves what they're capable of against a good team, and know the effort and intent that's required in this competition.

"Defensively, it's just been a little bit too easy for teams, and that doesn't sit well with me as a coach and I'm sure it doesn't sit well with the team. So we'll have a good, hard look at ourselves in terms of where we're at at this stage of the season."

That introspection began immediately after the Perth game, Henare said, with the club wanting to once again become feared on the defensive end, as they were through so many successful seasons. Led by Alex Pledger's shut-down defence under the rim, equalling a career-high with six blocks against the Wildcats, the benchmark has now been set.

"The guys were already saying it to each other in the locker room - we want to hang our hat on defence, we want to get after it defensively and hold each other accountable at the defensive end. If we can do that, we have faith that our offence can get points on the board."