Shawn Long celebrating win with Breakers Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
The Breakers have kept alive their slim ANBL basketball league playoff hopes alive with a 113-106 win over Cairsn in New Plymouth.
The Breakers big men Shawn Long and Tai Wesley won a prolific duel with Taipans guards Melo Trimble and DJ Newbill as the league's lowest- ranked teams played out a game bereft of defensive intensity.
It was a welcome reversal for the Breakers, who'd lost three straight in the lead-up, including Monday's 106-98 overtime defeat in Cairns.
The home side ensured there was no repeat late meltdown as they improved to 9-12.
Cairns dropped to 4-18, regretting their inability to contain big leaping centre Long, who scored 23 of his points in the first half.
He also pulled off nine rebounds and four blocks to impress a crowd attending the first ever NBL game in the Taranaki region.
Wesley was just as impressive across the stat line, blending 16 points with six rebounds, four steals and 10 assists.
Long said his on-court relationship with Wesley was forged on hard work.
"It took a while for us to get the chemistry that we have but I think we're where we need to be," he said.
"He realises he can throw it anywhere and I'm happy to go and get it. I'm just happy to have him on the team."
The Breakers won every quarter but the last to steadily accumulate a lead they never looked like squandering. Their second half advantage was never less than six.
The Breakers probably need to win six of their last seven to threaten the top four.
They host Brisbane on Sunday.
- AAP