Breakers fall to Sydney Kings after losing late lead in NBL clash

Karim Lopez of the Breakers drives to the basket during the round eight NBL match between Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers. Photo / Getty Images

In the first of four consecutive away games, the New Zealand Breakers were unable to dethrone the Sydney Kings, beaten 79-72 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday evening, and for the second time in four days, outscored after leading at three-quarter time.

Against Adelaide, in Christchurch on Thursday, they carried a two-point lead into the final quarter and an identical situation arose in Sydney.

Leading 54-52 at the start of the fourth – the Breakers were still two points to the good (62-60) with six minutes to play, but back-to-back threes from Kouat Noi seized the lead for the Kings.

Rob Baker II’s corner three tied the contest with 4:30 to play, only for Sydney star Kendric Davis to restore the Kings’ lead. Big Kiwi Sam Mennenga scored three times in the closing minutes but on each occasion the Kings found points to thwart the BNZ Breakers’ effort, before Davis sealed the victory from the foul line. Former Aussie NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova added a layup, in the final 30 seconds.

An exciting and hard-fought game, but ultimately a frustrating effort from the BNZ Breakers, who failed to close the contest despite leading for the majority of game.

BNZ Breakers captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright was again outstanding with a game-high 23 points – making four from nine from beyond the arc – to go with seven assists, and Mennenga was also in double figures with 15 points as he constantly caused the Kings trouble in the paint.

However, the BNZ Breakers support cast were not as productive. Baker scored nine points, Izaiah Brockington, in excellent form of late, only scored eight points to accompany eight rebounds while Karim López duplicated that with eight and eight himself.

For the Kings, Davis and Xavier Cooks scored 21 points apiece with Noi making six of his 14 points in the crucial fourth quarter.

The BNZ Breakers began the game in positive fashion as López opened the scoring with a sensational one-handed dunk, added a transition basket soon after and with Mennenga adding interior points, the Breakers forged a 14-8 lead.

With threes following from Brockington, Baker and Jackson-Cartwright the Breakers led 25-17 at quarter time. With that momentum, it felt like they could hold the Kings to ransom.

A Carlin Davison alley-oop gave the BNZ Breakers a double-figure lead and although the Kings fought back to level the scores, a Jackson-Cartwright triple enabled the Breakers to carry a narrow 41-39 lead into the halftime break. The BNZ Breakers’ star point guard leading all scorers with 12 points at the interval.

The BNZ Breakers scored the first four points of the second half and with López scoring in transition and Jackson-Cartwright making a trademark jumper, the visitors led 52-44.

The Kings had the better of the closing stages of the third spell with a Cooks floater levelling proceedings at 52 points apiece. Jackson-Cartwright had the final say of the quarter with his steal and resulting free-throws, giving the Breakers a two-point lead with 10 minutes to play.

The BNZ Breakers were outscored 27-18 in the final quarter, leaving coach Petteri Koponen and his staff plenty to ponder as to why they couldn’t seize the crown from the Kings which was on offer. With a record of narrow losses, finding the advantage in the final quarter has become a crucial quest.

They next take on the Brisbane Bullets at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre as part of the Ignite Cup, on Wednesday, the BNZ Breakers looking to make it two wins from two in Cup games.

Result:

BNZ Breakers 72 – Jackson-Cartwright 23pts & 7 assists, Mennenga 15pts, Baker 9pts

Sydney Kings 79 – Cooks 21pts & 14rebs, Davis 21pts, Noi 14pts