Basketball: Defensive woes for high-scoring Breakers

SYDNEY - A strong shooting performance across the board could not compensate for a porous defence as the New Zealand Breakers succumbed 124-141 in an entertaining Australian National Basketball League (NBL) warm-up match against Townsville last night.

The Crocodiles, who have reeled off six consecutive pre-season wins, shot a staggering 65 per cent from the field in the first half and enjoyed a 15-3 run in the three minutes before the halftime break, leaving the Breakers playing catch-up for the remainder.

Tall Blacks guard Aaron Olson topscored for the Breakers with 25 points while American import Rich Melzer added 21 Carroll said the team should use the very public blast from club greats as a motivational tool.

"If I read something like that when I was playing, I'd make sure I stuck it on my wall and I'd want to prove a point," he told Australian Associated Press.

"You want to look at yourself in the mirror and say 'I didn't achieve what I wanted last week and I'm going to change it around'."

Asked about Krilich's criticism, Carroll said: "That's the nature of the game, they are not out there playing tip (touch) footy.

"Max is a straight shooter. Hopefully those (Manly) guys will read that and get a bit angry, maybe that might be what will get them to pull their finger out and have a go this week."

The Warriors are out of contention for the play-offs.

Carroll said it was important for Manly to bounce back after copping the huge defeat and they should not be lulled into a false sense of security against a team with just pride to play for.

"The players know they can't waste what they have achieved so far. They can't say 'we are happy we went close to making the eight'.

"At the moment their confidence is shit but they are one win away from turning that around -- it's in their hands now."

The Sea Eagles have lost seven of their last eight to drop from top four contenders to borderline finalists -- and they have never beaten the Warriors under lights.

Their cause has not been helped by a spate of injuries and a virus that has swept through the ranks, forcing Des Hasler to name a squad of 23.

Several players including prop Jason King have been confined to bed by the virus with lock Ben Kennedy, who was a shining light against the Sharks despite suffering a leg injury, has also been laid low with the illness.

Fullback Brett Stewart (ribs) and interchange forward Sam Harris (groin) are also in doubt while centre Ashley Alberts (virus) and prop Brent Kite (knee) could be late inclusions after missing last weekend's rout.

Despite the setbacks Monaghan admitted the Sea Eagles would only have themselves to blame if they missed out on the top eight after at one stage leading the competition.

"At the end of the day we are fighting for a top eight spot so if that's not enough motivation to come up with a win or play our best footy then we don't deserve to play finals football."

- NZPA