Zylan Cheatham of the Breakers. Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
The New Zealand Breakers lost to NBA side the Portland Trail Blazers 106-66 in Portland on Wednesday.
In the first of two Australian NBL and NBA cross-over games for the Auckland-based club, the Breakers and Trail Blazers were level at 23-all after the first quarter.
Portland got ahead in the second quarter for a 48-39 half-time lead and continued to keep the visiting side at bay in the second half.
The game was a pre-season hit out for the Trail Blazers and came during the Australian NBL season for the Breakers.
New signing 25-year-old forward Anthony Lamb, who only joined the Breakers on the eve of the NBA game as an injury replacement player for import Justinian Jessup, got his first minutes in a Breakers singlet.
Lamb played for the NBA's Golden State Warriors last season and previously played for the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
He ended the game with 9 points, 2 blocks and 4 rebounds.
Breakers fans will have to wait to see Lamb in action as the Trail Blazers game was not broadcast.
American import Parker Jackson-Cartwright was the leading scorer for the Breakers with 19 points.
Will McDowell-White seems to have recovered from his hand injury to put in 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Import Zylan Cheatham also scored 11 points and made 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists.
Breakers coach Mody Maor used 11 of his 12 available players, whereas the Trail Blazers gave game time to 16 players.
Former Breaker Rayan Rupert, who the Trail Blazers picked up in the last NBA draft, took the court in the second half and scored 7 points.
Shooting guard Anfernee Simons top-scored for the Trail Blazers with 14 points.
Earlier on Wednesday the Cairns Taipans suffered a 82-145 defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards.
The Breakers' next NBA game is against the Utah Jazz next week.