Breakers claim overtime thriller

In a game that was there for the taking, the New Zealand Breakers got over the line in overtime, defeating the Brisbane Bullets, 81-76. 

The Bullets have have found consistent form, winning four of the last five games, however they went into tonight’s match undermanned. Vic Law missed the game due to injury, Lamar Patterson is still not cleared to play and Matt Hodgson was ruled out during the warm-up. It did however, open up opportunities for a few of the Bullets youngsters to get some extended minutes, including Tamuri Wigness who provided great defensive energy off the bench. 

Anthony Drmic really stepped up for the Bullets, bringing intensity on both ends of the floor, scoring 25 points to go with five rebounds and three steals.

Nathan Sobey had a huge second half impact, after totalling two points at the half, finished with a 23 point, 11 rebound double-double including a couple of clutch plays to send the game into overtime. 

Tyrrell Harrison was strong on the glass with an enormous 16 rebounds, along with nine points and three blocks.

Tanner Krebs also thrived in his extended minutes with 10 points and four rebounds. 

Sobey, and Harrison opened the scoring for the Bullets, both getting down the lane line and finishing at the rim. After holding the visitors scoreless in the first four minutes, Finn Delany knocked down a three to get the Breakers on the board.

Brisbane looked good when they were in attack mode, slicing through the middle of the key and breaking down the Breakers defence however their ability to finish was lacking at times. Led by Drmic and Krebs, who’ve both really grown in confidence as the season has progressed, the Bullets scored five quick points at the end of the first. This took the Bullets ahead by one, 13-12, in an uncharacteristically low scoring quarter. 

The game was free flowing in the opening quarter, with limited stoppage time and both teams pushing the pace. Despite getting some great looks, the Breakers and Bullets combined for 11/40 in the first with neither able to find the bottom of the net efficiently.

The team began finding their offensive form through back to back three’s, followed by a steal and lay-up from Anthony Drmic late in the second. Rasmus Bach then got in on the action for the visitors, with a couple of quick three’s to give the Breakers a six point lead heading into half time. 

Both Drmic and Bach picked up where they left off to begin the second half trading triples.

However Tai Webster created some issues for the Bullets, leading the Breakers as they went on a 11-0 run mid way through the third. 

Sobey scored 11 third quarter points, getting to the rim and finding his range to reduce the visitors lead to a manageable five heading into the last quarter. 

The main focus of the Bullets in the last quarter was defensive intensity and the group lifted the tempo to trail by just one with five minutes remaining.

Nathan Sobey made some massive plays both on the offensive and defensive ends to level the scores within the final minute of regular time. This is where the scores would remain as the game would need an extra five minutes to find the eventual winner. 

To begin the overtime period, both sides traded three’s through Webster and Cadee. Following this, both Bach and Drmic got to the rim drawing fouls and knocking down free throws. 

Most of the period was spent with the scoreboard level, however Finn Delany capped off his 18-point outing, putting the Breakers up three with 27 seconds remaining. The Bullets had a couple of good looks but had to foul down the stretch and the visitors lead extended to five.

The Bullets have a short turnaround as they head to Wollongong to face the Hawks on Monday, before returning to The Armoury to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix next Friday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 11

Brisbane Bullets (Drmic 25, Sobey 23, Krebs 10)

NZ Breakers (Webster 27, Delany 17, Bach 16)