NZ Breakers three-in-a-row, reach top six
- editor59343
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
The NZ Breakers have won three consecutive matches to hit the top six teams on the ANBL ladder for the first time this season.
They beat the Tasmania JackJumpers 99-86 at Spark Arena in what was their fourth win in five games.
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Picking up where they left off against Sydney Kings on Wednesday, they powered out of the blocks, scoring the first nine points of the contest and quickly opening up a double-figure advantage.
The margin reached 17 points in the dying seconds of the opening quarter, and although Tasmania made inroads, closing within two, the home side were 52-41 up at half-time.
Karim Lopez and Tall Blacks star Sam Mennenga found themselves in fou trouble early on and started the third quarter on the bench.
Americans Rob Baker (13 points) and Izaiah Brockington (16 points) led all scorers, while the return of Tai Webster - an injury replacement for Izayah Le'afa - added some spark.
Lopez came off the bench and dropped a three-pointer with his first touch, while Mennenga threw down a massive dunk on counterpart Will Magnay, completing the three-point play from the free-throw line.
Still trailing by 10 entering the final quarter, the JackJumpers remained in contention, but could not quite bridge the gap.
When Breakers guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright picked the pocket of American Tyger Campbell for a steal and easy lay-up, the margin was back out to 12 points with five minutes remaining.
Tasmania closed within single figures, but a dagger three from Jackson-Cartwright with 1m 40s on the clock finally gave his team some comfort, before he found Lopez for the cherry on top beyond the arc.
Jackson-Cartwright amassed 16 points and 12 assists, while Brockington finished with a game-high 22 points. American forward Bryce Hamilton led Tasmania with 21 points.
The Breakers travel to South East Melbourne Phoenix next Saturday.