Basketball: Breakers confident of response after Brisbane loss

The BNZ Breakers have already identified the areas that cost them a second straight win in the National Basketball League (NBL) competition.

This comes after they let an 11-point lead slip away in their 83-80 loss to the Brisbane Bullets last weekend.

The Auckland-based side controlled much of the game for the opening 25 minutes but could not hold on as Brisbane fought back to close the gap heading into the final quarter.

Assistant coach Josiah Maama, who is of Tongan heritage, says there were still plenty of positives for the Breakers to take into their next game against the Perth Wildcats.

Maama says the focus is to “keep approaching the game with the same attitude,”

“This group works hard, they play with high effort levels and as long as we play together and for each other we’ll keep improving and challenging like we have in the first two games.

Izayah Le'afa of the BNZ Breakers. Photo/Zain Mohammed/Photosport.

“We controlled the game for the most part and showed a good attitude to respond to their early run. Disappointing to lose but some positive signs in the game going forward.”

The Breakers stayed within striking distance late but missed rebounds and a crucial basket in the closing stages helped Brisbane secure the win.

Maama says the side knows where it needs to improve.

Josiah Maama brings grassroots, domestic and international coaching experience to the Breakers’ five-strong coaching staff, following a stint with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Summer League. Photo/Supplied.

“Brisbane tightened up at the end and we weren’t able to convert despite creating great looks throughout,” Maama says. “We also didn’t rebound the ball well enough in the end but we’ll reflect and improve on it.”

Breakers head coach Gordie Herbert also pointed to the late lapse but says the result needs to be viewed in the context of how early it is in the season.

The Breakers had looked in control for much of the contest before Brisbane produced a decisive run.

Despite that, he was encouraged by how the team responded when the game was on the line.

“This is September, our effort was good, but we are still in September and have a lot of work to do on the basketball stuff,” Herbert told media after the game.

“The guys are working really hard and played good on the road for 25 minutes and controlled the tempo of the game but had a bad spurt.

“They never gave up, they fought back and we had a chance to win.”

The Breakers face the Perth Wildcats this weekend before returning home next Wednesday for their next game at Spark Arena. After two games, the Breakers sit sixth on the NBL ladder.