The New Zealand Breakers’ juggernaut exhibits no indicators of slowing down after thumping South East Melbourne Phoenix 110-84 to safe their fifth win on the trot.
Just 4 days after handing out a 37-point hiding to the lowly Brisbane Bullets, the Breakers lit up Christchurch Arena on Thursday night time with Barry Brown Jr main the house aspect to a commanding 63-39 benefit on the primary break.
The hosts completed the job within the second half to actual some revenge from their 22-point defeat to the Phoenix in Auckland again in spherical 4 and consolidate prime spot on the ladder with an 11-3 file.
The Breakers have now topped 60 factors within the opening half of consecutive video games for the primary time since January 2008 whereas no different NBL workforce has produced back-to-back video games with at the very least 63 by halftime within the final 12 years.
Brown Jr completed with 31 factors, the very best rating from any Breakers participant this season, and gave credit score to the competitiveness inside the squad for preserving the longest profitable streak within the league alive.
“I feel like we came out, especially in that second half, and just continued to lay it on them,” Brown Jr stated after the Breakers recorded their sixth consecutive victory in Christchurch.
“We kind of got sloppy a little bit but we were able to finish the game.”
The affect of Brown Jr and centre Rob Loe (17 factors) off the bench laid the platform for the victory as New Zealand loved a large 62-16 benefit over South East Melbourne in bench factors.
“It’s amazing to have a great group of guys that believe in themselves and believe in each other and we have a great time,: Brown Jr said about the chemistry the Breakers have built during their flying start to the season.
Outside of centre Alan Williams (29 points, 13 rebounds) becoming the first player this season to top 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games, there was little to celebrate for the Phoenix in Kyle Adnam’s 200th NBL game.
Strong play in the post from Williams handed the visitors an early 18-15 edge but Brown Jr and Loe each scored 11 points as part of a 22-8 run for the Breakers to storm ahead 37-23.
Brown Jr’s hot start extended into the second period as he closed the half with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-4 from three-point range, as the Breakers made 10 triples and added 37-0 bench points to take a 24-point lead into the main break.
South East Melbourne managed to sluggish the Breakers within the third quarter but it surely was not sufficient to keep away from falling to their greatest lack of the season.
