Tom Abercrombie had a standout game for the Breakers. Photo / Photosport
Beware the Sky Sport Breakers — they're still far from certain of making the playoffs but will fancy their chances against any team in the Australian NBL on current form.
Adelaide proved no match tonight, smashed 113-89 in the New Zealand Breakers' last regular-season fixture at Auckland's Spark Arena for 2019-20.
Both teams started the game 11-13 knowing victory was essential to have any chance of catching the fourth-placed Brisbane Bullets (13-11).
The first half was relatively even. The Breakers led by 13 midway through the second quarter but the 36ers closed the gap to 49-45 at halftime.
But when the hosts accelerated away in the third quarter, Adelaide failed to respond, and down 86-66 at the final break, the game — and their season — were effectively over.
The Breakers continued to push on, winning by 24, and with points differential separating teams level on victories, big margins may help them break into the top four.
Tom Abercrombie led the way for the Breakers tonight, scoring 31 points — just two off his career high — which included nailing seven of his 11 three-point attempts.
The increasingly influential Finn Delany recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds. Sek Henry contributed 18 points and Scotty Hopson 13.
The playoff race is intriguingly poised. The sixth-placed Breakers (12-13), who have won eight of their last 11, are vying for fourth with Brisbane (13-11) and Melbourne United (12-12).
Brisbane host Melbourne tomorrow night and the Breakers next Friday in the games most likely to determine the final placings. All three have a positive points difference in the 20s.
The Breakers' other final regular-season matches are at Illawarra on Sunday and in Christchurch against South East Melbourne on February 14 — the league's two bottom teams.
In contrast, Brisbane, who have won their last five, finish with games away to second-placed Perth and home to third-placed Cairns.
United's last three matches are all at Melbourne Arena against Illawarra, Cairns and South East Melbourne.
The American ownership group has moved the team on after seven seasons.