“It was very satisfying,” Maor said of the win. “You could see there was a level of connectedness in the way they played, they created for each other, it’s a very good step for us.
“I don’t think this was a matter of improvement. It wasn’t that we were losing because we did things wrong, we’re learning how to play in a new way. Things have changed for us, and you can see a higher level of comfort which was great. There’s still a lot more we need to do better.”
The Breakers played with a short rotation, using just three players off the bench – Mathiang, Will McDowell-White and Mantas Rubstavicius – who all made their mark on the game.
The side called forward Dominique Kelman-Poto into the main squad in the wake of Cheatham’s injury, and Maor didn’t give much away when asked what the long-term plan was for Cheatham’s roster spot, given the former New Orleans Pelican is out for up to eight weeks.
“I love what I have,” Maor said. “I love this locker room, I love these players. I think they’re more than up to the challenge. I’m focused on the guys here and I’m enjoying every moment. "
Friday night’s game in Christchurch was the Breakers’ last home game for a small stretch, with a three-game road trip against the Sydney Kings, Perth Wildcats and Tasmania Jackjumpers next on the schedule.
While they head into the trip with a 2-4 record, Maor said he was not putting too much stock into the importance of the road trip as a whole but it was important for the side to take things as they came.
“I don’t think it’s going to be very important in the context of the season and we don’t treat it like a stretch. We take it one game at a time.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
