Breakers’ faint hopes dented
Miles Plumlee has proven why the Perth Wildcats grabbed him with a stunning NBL performance against the New Zealand Breakers.
The former NBA centre controlled the key at both ends of RAC Arena in Perth as the Cats beat the Breakers 80-79 in a thriller on Saturday night.
The Breakers trailed by 10 points early in the final quarter, but Brandon Ashley and Jarrad Weeks continued to make some big plays. They had possession for the last few seconds of the game.
But they were disorganised in those dying seconds, unable to take a timeout. A Finn Delaney pass was cut off by Terrico White, ending the Breakers two-game winning streak and potentially their hopes of playing finals.
Breakers coach Dan Shamir isn’t focusing on what’s needed to finish in the top four.
‘‘I am not caught in any of those calculations,’’ he said.
‘‘We came here wanting to come with a good plan and leave everything on the floor.
‘‘I think besides the execution, it has been like that for 10 to 13
Breakers coach
games; that we don’t break, even though in a few moments we don’t play well. We will approach the next one the same way.’’
The Breakers were coming off wins against Sydney and Melbourne, but Plumlee was just too big a hurdle for them to overcome. He entered double-double territory early in the third term and finished with 23 points, 17 rebounds and an impressive highlight reel of dunks.
With Nick Kay also collecting 20 points and 11 rebounds, the Wildcats appeared well in control. But the Breakers continued to push. Ashley impressed with 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds