Shot Down
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
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American Rick Rickert had 17 points as the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers finished their five-match pre-season tour of Australia with a two-win, three-loss record, losing 91-119 to NBL champions Brisbane Bullets.
The well oiled Bullets shot out to a 61-49 halftime lead and cruised to the win on the strength of a high-pressure defence that harried the Breakers into mistakes.
ìWe were forced to play freelance basketball,î said Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis. ìAnd we werenít that good at it tonight.î
Lemanis said his new roster needed to back its ability and be more aggressive.
ìWe learnt a lot about ourselves on this trip. Defence is the area weíve spent most time on and weíve shown good signs there, but weíve been exposed in our offensive execution and that will be a focus in the next week.
ìWe also need to develop a killer instinct so that if we generate an advantage, we ram it home.î
The Breakers return home tomorrow to prepare for their season opener against the Cairns Taipans at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday, September 20.
Australian NBL Pre-Season
Brisbane Bullets 119 Harvey Norman NZ Breakers 91 (Rick Rickert 17, Oscar Forman 15, Tony Ronaldson 12, Paora Winitana 11, Wayne Turner 10, Paul Henare 10)
