Phoenix flex attacking muscle in win over Breakers
Jasper Bruce |
South East Melbourne Phoenix have reminded their coach of the legendary 2017 Golden State Warriors as they rode the highest-scoring first half of the NBL’s 40-minute era to victory over the New Zealand Breakers.
Mid-season import signing Ian Clark (24 points) top-scored after teammate Wes Iwundu (23 points) starred earlier in Wednesday night’s 123-116 win in Melbourne.
Clark was instrumental during a 15-2 second-quarter run that opened up a buffer for the Phoenix, who hit 12 of 20 three-point attempts to the main change.
With the Australian Open in full swing 25km away, franchise co-owner Nick Kyrgios was up and about courtside as the Phoenix stormed to a 74-54 half-time lead.
“We looked like the Golden State Warriors from 2016/17,” said Phoenix coach Josh King in reference to the NBA championship-winning team that featured Clark.
The Phoenix ended with 18 of 42 three-point attempts for the game, but had a lead that had been as wide as 25 points cut down to five in the final quarter.
King was very frustrated the Breakers were afforded 30 more free-throw attempts on the night, with the Phoenix’s Jordi Hunter and John Brown both fouling out late.
“It was a really boring second half. I guess we played a lot different in the second half than we did in the first,” said a sardonic King.
“World’s longest game, world’s longest half. We have to be better, I have to be better.
“(But) I’m thinking about not even watching this game, I usually go home and watch, (but) I’ll be up ’til five in the morning.”
Breakers’ Sam Mennenga (28 points, five rebounds) had one of the highlight plays on a night of attacking prowess with a brutal poster dunk on big man Hunter.
The lead was only six points when in-form Mennenga looped a pass up for Carlin Davison to slam down an ally-oop in the fourth quarter.
“(Mennenga) is having an unbelievable season,” said Breakers coach Petteri Koponen.
NBL MVP candidate Nathan Sobey made a successful return from illness to add 17 points and seven assists, attacking the paint with his usual aplomb.
He hit a vital three-pointer as the final five minutes of the game approached to push the lead back to nine points and the Phoenix held on.
The Phoenix could sit atop the ladder by the end of the weekend if they beat Cairns and ladder-leading Adelaide, on a two-game losing streak, fall to the Breakers and Sydney.
But the loss is a blow to the Breakers’ hopes of keeping in touch with the play-in bracket.
The seventh-placed New Zealand side are now two wins behind sixth-placed Tasmania and have played one more game.
“We keep fighting. Every game is an opportunity,” said Koponen.
AAP
