Basketball: Cedric Jackson key to Breakers' playoff hunt

Breakers point guard Cedric Jackson is dangerous with ball in hand. Picture / Quinn Rooney

Danger man’s return has revitalised team and his rare skills will be vital in post-season

The Breakers' last playoff appearance started with the ball in Cedric Jackson's hands and ended with a ring on his finger.

Much has changed since that memorable night in Perth, some 22 months ago, but the Breakers are counting on a similar outcome when their post-season Aussie NBL campaign begins tonight against Adelaide.

It's certainly no coincidence the Breakers' one-year playoff absence came with Jackson half a world away in Slovenia - and it's no twist of fate his return inspired the team's single-season leap from second-worst to second-best in the standings.

Jackson is one of the Breakers' leaders, the man who wants the ball in his hands in the big moments, and his mere presence at point guard inspires confidence that the club can reclaim the crown that slipped upon his departure.

The start of that quest will be far from easy, considering the opposition at Vector Arena this evening are the winners of 10 straight games. The Breakers and Adelaide split four meetings this season and, judging by their last encounter, when the scores were tied with 16 seconds to play, little will separate the sides in the three-game series.

There are bound to be plenty of big moments, the outcomes of which will decide which team progresses to the grand final, and that's when Jackson shines.

"I just love to have the ball in my hands at that time," the American said. "I definitely just want to try and take over and hopefully things can go our way. I just have to make the smart plays and get guys in certain spots and get the ball to other guys."

Occasionally the smart play will see the ball remain in Jackson's hands, as it did out of necessity a couple of weeks ago in Perth. The half-court buzzer beater that followed was spectacular, but perhaps the most amazing thing about the shot was its familiarity.

Jackson had done it before, while playing college basketball in 2008, lifting his Cleveland State to an unlikely win over Syracuse. No one would expect the 28-year-old to repeat his twice-in-a-lifetime shot in the next couple of weeks, but the important point is Jackson's capability of such deeds - a game-winning shot, a triple-double, even a simple pass to an open teammate.

"He walked into the building with the ultimate respect," said coach Dean Vickerman.

"We wanted to recruit a leader and a guy with experience - it just helped that the guy with experience had experience here before.

"More than anything, he's a guy who gets excited about making a good pass. Sometimes he gets disappointed if it's not finished, but he's just that guy who everyone knows that, when he penetrates, if you get to the right spots he's going to deliver it to you."

Jackson will be tested tonight against compatriot Jamar Wilson, third in the league in scoring. But just as the Breakers will be wary of Wilson's impact, Adelaide will be fully aware of what can happen when the ball is in Jackson's hands.

3 Things about the playoffs

Cedric Jackson's line in the Breakers' last playoff game.
Jackson had 31 minutes, 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 70-66 win over Perth.

Alex Pledger took full part in training this week.
Pledger continues his late-season surge in spite of his toe injury, but Ekene Ibekwe will remain in the starting five.

Rhys Carter suffers a jammed neck at training.
The Australian guard hurt his neck yesterday but shouldn't be restricted by the ailment against Adelaide.