MARC HINTON stuff.co.nz

 

When you're hot, you're hot. Or, in the case of the NZ Breakers, smokin' hot.

The Breakers last night rolled past the Adelaide 36ers 91-77 on a steamy evening at the North Shore Events Centre, continuing their dominance over the side from South Australia.

It was their third straight win over the visitors this season, and their sixth on the trot as they advanced the all-time match-up to 13-12 in their favour.

But, more importantly, the all-the-way victory was the Breakers' eighth in their last nine Australian NBL games - dating back to that defining home loss to Wollongong - advancing their table-topping record to an impressive 13-3. They are now 6-1 for the season at home, and have two losses up their sleeves over their nearest challengers.

This game - in front of over 4000 delirious fans - was all but over in the second quarter when the Breakers applied the blowtorch and the 36ers melted away to a 20-point deficit they could never overcome. From midway through the third period, when the lead stretched to 28, garbage time was in session and only a late Adelaide rally made the margin semi-respectable.

Big man Gary Wilkinson topped 20 for the third straight game to lead the scoring for the Breakers, his double of 21 points (8/11 FG, 3/4 3PT) and seven rebounds continuing the impressive form of the man from Utah.

Kirk Penney - fresh off his third Player of the Week award -- had 19 points but struggled a little from the field (7/21 FG, 3/12 3PT), while point man Kevin Braswell was the other double-figure contributor with 11 points, four boards, three assists and six turnovers.

Mika Vukona had his usual high-hustle night with nine points and 10 boards while big Alex Pledger's nine points, six rebounds and two blocks reflected an active game for "The Chief". Dillon Boucher weighed in with a team-high five assists, while Tom Abercrombie couldn't quite break the scoring shackles (five points on two-of-seven shooting) but remained busy throughout.

It all got ugly for the Breakers over the run home as their urgency slipped back too many notches, but the Kiwi club did well to limit both Adelaide imports to single-figures. Coach Andrej Lemanis, though, forgave his side their easing off as the 36ers won the final quarter 22-15.

"We still won the game," shrugged Lemanis. "We had it in control basically the whole night. I thought we came out with good energy, we got after it and we did all the things we'd spoken about that we needed to do as a group.

"It's always hard to play those last quarters with big leads like that.. I thought it was a good win for us tonight."

Veteran point guard Paul Henare, who secured his 100th win for the club, shrugged off the milestone as "cool" but insignificant.

"To me all that matters is how we're going right now. That was a good win - and hopefully we've got a few more in us," he said.

Henare praised the contributions throughout the Breakers squad, highlighting Pledger's big second quarter as playing a big part in getting the ball rolling.

"Many guys came in and contributed," added Henare. "All along that's where we've said we are - we're 10 deep and we expect everyone to contribute when they hit the floor."

In front of their second straight full house - no one can accuse Aucklanders of not loving a winner - the Breakers put together an impressive opening half to lead 55-36 by the major break.

It hadn't all been smooth going, especially early on when the home defence took a while to settle, but when the Breakers edged out to 27-21 at the end of the opening quarter, sealed with a spectacular Abercrombie alley-oop, the writing was on the wall.

Sure enough, a 13-0 run to open the second quarter saw the home side extend their advantage to 20 inside four minutes and from then on in - with the Breakers' offence in full flow - the 36ers were doing little more than hanging in.

Penney, Braswell and Pledger all scored nine first-half points for the New Zealanders (Pledger also grabbing four offensive boards and swatting two shots into the stands) who shot better (54 per cent from the field), outrebounded (26-13) and certainly outhustled their visitors.

The 36ers kept at it till the end to reduce a laugher to more respectable territory, but this was more emphatic proof that Lemanis' side, now with daylight between them and their chasers, are legit title favourites.

With New York Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson in the house, the Breakers would have been hoping to hit a home run. But their fans were still content with an effort that was more like a solid two-bagger.

The Breakers' next game is a visit to the Cairns Taipans on Sunday week, with the Queenslanders putting their unbeaten home record on the line.

NZ Breakers 91 (Gary Wilkinson 21, Kirk Penney 19, Kevin Braswell 11) Adelaide 36ers 77 (Daniel Johnson 18, Adam Ballinger 16). Halftime: 55-36.