Basketball New Zealand

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NZ Breakers forward Oscar Forman (Photosport)

Sweet-shooting Harvey Norman NZ Breakers forward Oscar Forman says his team will be hostile from tip-off in Thursdayís Hummer Championship NBL clash against Adelaide at the North Shore Events Centre.

A win over the 36ers would give the Breakers a 50% record after four home games and pitch them into the top eight, but Forman says they have to overcome the recent trend of letting their opponents get off to a flyer.

ìWe need to come out more aggressively from the opening whistle and get a better start, a quicker start,î Forman said. ìWeíve got the drills and skills, so itís definitely a mental thing. We just need to switch on.î

Forman, who needs just 13 points to reach the 400 mark for the club, says last weekís fightback to overturn an 11-point halftime deficit and beat Townsville has shown the character and spirit of the team. Now, he says, they need to build on budding combinations.

ìWe have a very talented and confident group of guys and I know we can back each other a bit more. Having Kirk Penney back from injury is a massive plus and every week together is helping us develop more understanding.

ìItís a case of appreciating each otherís strengths, anticipating how everyone plays and supporting each other. In Kirkís case, Iím now getting a feel for where he drives and when he shoots, so I can park myself in the best place to support him and the team.î

Coach Andrej Lemanis is in no doubt that beating the Crocs, his first one-point win in more than 50 games at the helm of the Breakers, will liberate his team.

ìIt will free us up,î Lemanis said. ìWe were probably playing a little tight because we were so desperate. That first win will give us a bit more confidence.î

The Breakers will need to keep lifting their team shooting percentage to get past a two-win, two-loss 36ers outfit that is averaging 100 points a game this season, but conceding 101 (the Breakers are averaging 95 for and 98 against).

Forman, who had five seasons with the 36ers before joining the Breakers last season, is well aware of the offensive threat Adelaide poses.

ìEveryone likes playing offence Ö more so in Adelaide,î he said wryly.

It is a successful formula given the 36ersí tally of four NBL championships is equal with the Perth Wildcats as the most by any team in the leagueís history.

ìThe 36ers are a free-flowing team,î Lemanis added. ìThey play with a carefree attitude and have real confidence in their offence.

ìIt can be awkward playing against their freelance style and there can be big swings in the game. They can get away on you, but thereís often a chance to come back as well.î

The Breakers embark on their first away trip of the season on Friday morning, but Lemanis is certain the three-game, 11-day odyssey to Singapore and Melbourne wonít be in the back of his playersí minds.

ìOur most important game is Adelaide,î Lemanis said. ìThatís the next one on the list and what we can affect right now. All our focus is on them.î

The Adelaide lineup includes Breakers old boy Mike Chappell and captain Brett Maher, who recently broke the club appearance record when playing his 482nd game. Another veteran, point guard Brad Davidson, will be absent having suffered an abdominal muscle tear in last weekís loss to Perth.

The Breakers have an overall four-win, eight-loss record against Adelaide, but did win all three encounters against the 36ers last season.

Tip off at the North Shore Events Centre is at 7.30pm.