Basketball: Breakers on edge for grand final rematch

Ekene Ibekwe's championship-winning shot against Cairns last year. Photo / Getty

The Breakers aren't happy about the fact they have more defeats than wins so far this season and it might have been a reason practice on Monday was a little testy.

Rather than call for calm, coach Dean Vickerman liked what he saw from his players ahead of tomorrow night's visit of the Cairns Taipans to Vector Arena.

"I think so," he said when asked if it was a good sign. "It was one of those ones where we wanted to go longer. We just wanted to play and whenever you do that, and you get people fatigued, we see how they react to different situations. Some people got heated, but it didn't go over the top."

"It was just the boys showing they are ready to go and are pushing each other every day. That is what we do at this organisation - challenge each other to get better."

The Breakers need to improve. They have a two win, three loss record but weren't helped by a hectic schedule that saw them play four games in 10 days, including trips to both Townsville and Perth.

They've since had a week off to help rest sore bodies and minds in preparation for a game that is being billed as a grand final rematch. The Breakers famously beat Cairns 2-0 in last season's grand final series, capped off by Ekene Ibekwe's miracle two-pointer on the buzzer, to claim their fourth title in five seasons.

Many teams would roll out the line that tomorrow's encounter is "just another game" but the Breakers are happy to say there will be extra spice.

"There is a little edge there for sure and so there should be," Vickerman said.

"They are obviously very disappointed with how last season finished over here and are on the back of a long road trip. It doesn't matter if it's the second or third game of a road trip, the team that has come in the most desperate has come out successful. We expect them to come in very desperate."

Cairns have an identical two win, three loss record, with both of their wins coming at home. The Breakers have won both of their home games.

Breakers captain Mika Vukona will play, despite a hamstring niggle, and Alex Pledger has so far come through his return to playing well after six months out after foot surgery.

Meanwhile, Breakers general manager Richard Clarke expressed his sympathy for the Wellington Phoenix, whose involvement in football's A-League is in doubt after the FFA offered them a four-year extension to their operating licence only rather than the 10 years the club sought.

"I would [take the four years on offer] because while you are in the game you are still in the game," he told Radio Sport. "You would have a chance to continue to build and show what you have got. Once you are out, you are out and don't have any shots to fire. Being involved is better than not being involved."