Basketball: Breakers' record on the line as they take on Blaze

Kevin Braswell of the Breakers in action. Photo / Getty Images

The Breakers' record as the only undefeated team remaining in the ANBL goes on the line tonight against the Blaze on the Gold Coast.

Star shooter Kirk Penney will be back for the Breakers as they face the injury-hit Blaze (2-1).

Penney sat out last week's narrow victory over Melbourne Tigers despite having returned to New Zealand two days before the match.

With questions regarding that situation provoking a defiant response from veteran guard CJ Bruton, there will be much interest in how Penney is assimilated into a side that is bidding to secure its best start to an NBL campaign.

The Blaze appear to be a handy opponent for a Breakers side looking to improve on the 3-0 start they made in 2008/09. The Breakers hold a 7-2 edge in matchups between the clubs, a figure that includes a 4-1 record on the Gold Coast.

Having beaten Cairns and Townsville after beginning their campaign with a loss to Wollongong, the Blaze sit third on the ladder.

But with key forward Anthony Petrie suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and Pero Vasiljevic and Jason Cadee already long-term casualties, the Queenslanders are in rebuilding mode.

Petrie was one of the best bigs in the league but the Blaze would still be a formidable opponent without him, assistant Breakers coach Dean Vickerman said. "He is disruptive defensively and I think [he] was leading the league in offensive rebounds.

"For him to be out leaves a big hole to cover but, as we found with the Tigers, when a team has some injuries the players who come in often step up and play some great ball ..."