The New Zealand Breakers’ finals hopes were dealt a blow as they fell to a 99-91 loss to the Perth Wildcats in Auckland.
The Breakers are now in eighth place in the NBL standings with eight wins and 14 defeats. It leaves them three wins behind the Tasmania JackJumpers, whosit in the sixth and last playoff spot with 11 games remaining.
Back home at Spark Arena for the first time since December 6 and playing their first game since beating the JackJumpers on Boxing Day, the Breakers played catch-up the whole way on Sunday.
While the Wildcats could never quite shake off the Breakers, they did have the answers any time the home team challenged, including putting up 32 points in the third quarter on the way to an eight-point win.
Kristian Doolittle finished with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists for Perth, with Jo Lual-Acuil jnr adding 20 points, six boards and three assists, and Dylan Windler 17 points and 10 rebounds.
After leading by double digits in the third quarter, the Wildcats were briefly overtaken in the fourth before going back in front after a period of defensive pressure in which the Breakers missed 10 straight shots.
Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright finds a way through the Perth Wildcats' defence. Photo / Photosport
Breakers coach Petteri Koponen said their defence let them down.
“It was crazy to have a chance tonight,” Koponen said.
“How we were not able to play defence and how they shot the ball. Perth played with their efficiency, how they shot the ball and found all their guys. They were on tonight and you have to give credit to them. They played really good game.”
The Wildcats hit 10/21 from three-point range on the way to shooting 56% from the field overall while winning the rebound battle 40-29 to move to 13-10 (4-6 at home, 9-4 away).
Doolittle was also switched on to Breakers superstar guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright in the second half and was instrumental in the latter’s tough outing, finishing with 10 points on 5/14 shooting with five turnovers despite seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Sam Mennenga top-scored for the Breakers with 19 points and three rebounds, with Carlin Davison scoring 14 points and two steals and Tai Webster, in his first game against his former team, finishing with eight points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
The Breakers host the Sydney Kings on Friday night while the Wildcats take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne on Saturday.
“Sydney is going to give us great challenge with how they play defence, with their physicality,” Koponen said.
“They got one of the best defences in the league. Last time we met them, we were able to take the win and that’s when Parker won the game for us in the last quarter.
“It’s going to be challenge but we keep working our things and improve from there.”
