Zylan Cheatham. Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
Former NBA forward Zylan Cheatham made his return from a broken leg as the New Zealand Breakers beat the Bullets 81-71 in their Australian NBL clash in Brisbane.
It was the Auckland based club's third straight win, following victories over Cairns and Sydney.
The Breakers were still without important forward Finn Delany, but welcomed back Cheatem from a fractured leg that has kept him sidelined since 26 October and he and fellow ex NBA player Anthony Lamb starred for the visitors.
Lamb top scored for the Breakes with 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Cheatham scored 11 points, while Mantas Rubstavicius continued to impress too with the Lithuanian shooting three three pointers and finishing the game with 15 points.
The Breakers are in seventh place and closing in on sixth spot and coach Mody Maor is pleased with how the team is progressing.
"I liked this game a lot," he said.
"Last few wins for us have been through offence with the ball moving and we had great rhythm, but Brisbane don't let you play like that with their level of physicality and quality they have on the defensive end.
"We were able to win a game that you needed to gut out and tough out, which is a huge stepping stone for us."