'We're excited' - Breakers put positive spin on Kings challenge
Breakers coach Mody Maor says there is a feeling of excitement in the camp rather than disappointment after their 76-70 loss to the Adelaide 36ers last night which sent them into a sudden-death play-in match against the Sydney Kings.
The Breakers finished sixth after the upset loss against the 36ers in Adelaide and will face the Kings in Sydney next Wednesday night for the right to continue into the playoffs.
They were once again rocked by injury; Finn Delany was unavailable due to back spasms before the game and Will McDowell-White is unlikely to play any further part in the season after dislocating a shoulder in the fourth quarter before the Breakers mounted a comeback down the stretch.
Their casualty list this season has been well documented and they are already without American import Anthony Lamb due to a torn Achilles.
However, given their precarious position even a few weeks ago, the Breakers are focusing on the positives. Next Wednesday’s game in Sydney will be a rematch of last season’s grand finals series won by the Kings.
“A month and a half, seven weeks ago, we all sat in a room and saw where we were on the table and detailed what the challenges we faced were,” Maor said.
“If we had a contract to sign back then with the basketball gods that we would be the sixth seed and get to play in post-season action then we’d all sign it.
“We’re very proud to be in this moment because the stuff that we overcame to get here is very meaningful. Just ask Adelaide.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to step into the ring one more time and throw our best punch.”
Captain Tom Abercrombie, who announced his impending retirement before last Friday’s excellent victory over the Brisbane Bullets which kept them in playoffs contention, said: “It was completely out of the question halfway through the season and for us to dig deep put ourselves in a position to play post-season basketball, I’m very, very proud of the effort of all the guys.
“It’s a good story for us to get here but the story isn’t over yet. We still feel we have more to give.”
Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright goes on the attack against Adelaide. (Source: Getty)
The defending champion Kings have been inconsistent this season but revealed their title credentials when thrashing the Melbourne Phoenix 122-67 on Saturday.
The Breakers have an incredibly similar record to the Kings this season – both teams won 13 games and lost 15 in the regular season and a defeat by fewer than five points against the 36ers would have resulted in the Breakers hosting the play-in game.
The Auckland-based side played the Kings three times this season – losing a close one in Sydney before a comfortable win at home and then a larger defeat across the Ditch.
“They’re an incredibly talented team with a lot of players who can impact the game in different ways,” Maor said of the Kings.
“We’ve had three different games against them with three different iterations of our roster. We’ll go back to the film, study, make our decisions and enjoy the challenge.”
The importance of guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who top-scored for the Breakers against the 36ers with 24, will be magnified in the absence of McDowell-White.
