Kings Rule Over Breakers
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2007/12/206537-edit.thumbnail.jpg) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/bbnz/:/tmp:/usr/local/lib/php/) in /home/bbnz/domains/tallblacks.org.nz/public_html/wp-includes/post.php on line 3943
Joel Tiller, Sportal
Sydney’s three-year stranglehold over the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers continued when they recorded a commanding 120-100 Hummer NBL Championship win at the North Shore Events Centre.
The visitors were too complete a package for the home side with greater scoring options, superior tall timber, unstoppable transition speed and a dogged defence.
The Kings led from the first minute and never looked like relinquishing their lead – at one point threatening a humiliation as the margin went past 30.
Sydney was again spearheaded by strong MVP contender Mark Worthington, who led his side with 28 points and seven boards. He had support from Dontaye Draper (24 points), Jason Smith (21 points, five rebounds) and Luke Kendall (17 points, four rebounds).
Kirk Penney posted 29 points for the vanquished Breakers, while Oscar Forman (18 points) and Mika Vukona (seven points, 13 rebounds) were industrious, and sharp shooter Phill Jones poured in 20 points.
The home side was never able to recover from its early faltering.
During a fast and furious opening, New Zealand was the slower team off the mark yet again, failing to score on its first three possessions as the league’s most miserly team refused to give an inch.
And the guests immediately shot out to 7-0 lead as Kendall and Worthington set the tone early.
Midway through the quarter, new Breakers signing Orien Greene introduced himself to the fans with a flying jam, but it was Sydney which was scoring with fluency as Worthington continued to wreak havoc under the bucket.
The Breakers clawed back to an eight-point deficit with 20 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter but that was as close as they got with the lead swelling to 11 after 12 minutes.
Worthington was looking classy as he notched his second three in transition to take his tally to 12 only four minutes into the second quarter and Sydney was threatening to run riot at 42-29.
At the half Sydney led 54-40 with Draper (10), Smith (11), Kendall (10) and Worthington (15) all in double figures on the score sheet while for the home side only Penney was finding his range with 15 points.
Uncharacteristically, Penney’s long-range efforts were off target with 2/7 from distance connecting under fierce pressure in the opening half.
Smith resumed business with the first points of the third with another three and only three minutes in the difference had blown out to 20.
American signing Greene appeared rusty and was visibly struggling to come to grips with officiating as he had a lay-up nullified on a travel call.
As Sydney continued to grind away Greene missed consecutive wide open long range shots to be unsuccessful in four attempts from outside.
Meanwhile, Kendall, Smith and Worthington were continuing to profit.
And while Jones and Penney kept bombing away from outside, Sydney was punishing any misses with almost nonchalant transition scoring.
Next the Kings (14-2) will travel to Adelaide to face the 36ers on Saturday before hosting the Hawks in Sydney on December 16.
The Breakers (9-7) get back on the road after three weeks at home – visiting the Bullets on December 16.
Sydney Kings 120 (Mark Worthington 28, Dontaye Draper 24, Jason Smith 21) Harvey Norman NZ Breakers 100 (Kirk Penney 29, Phill Jones 20, Oscar Forman 18)Box Score – Breakers v Kings (html 53KB)
