Bullets fall to Breakers

Coming off three wins in a row, the Brisbane Bullets came into Nissan Arena looking to get another. However, the finals bound NZ Breakers were too strong, defeating the Bullets 99-71.

Brisbane were without Jason Cadee, Tanner Krebs and Harry Froling and the Breakers welcomed back Barry Brown Jr and Izayah Le'afa to have a full roster available.

Things were relatively tight through the first quarter, but the Breakers were able to put together a 33 points second term, including a streak of 18-5 through the middle stages.

Another 11-0 run early in the second half ensured the Breakers opened up a match-winning advantage to lead by 25 before going on to a 28-point win.

Tyler Johnson again top-scored for Brisbane with 20 points and five rebounds. Aron Baynes contributed 13 points and five boards, Nathan Sobey added 13 points and eight assists, and DJ Mitchell 12 points and four rebounds.

DJ Mitchell scored a couple of early baskets to help Brisbane to a 6-2 edge and the home team's impressive start continued with Aron Baynes scoring four points as part of a 6-0 run to put them up 14-7.

Breakers coach Mody Maor called a timeout and got the response he was after with his team scoring 11 of the next 13 points including Barry Brown Jr coming on to provide the spark.

The Bullets trailed 22-20 after the first quarter. The Breakers' lead pushed out to seven after early second quarter three-pointers to Jarrell Brantley and Tom Abercrombie. Then after a three-point play for Brisbane from Baynes, the Breakers hit another eight straight points to push that lead out to double-figures.

Brisbane were down 55-40 at the break and had some work to do, leading into the second half.

Nathan Sobey had an impressive steal and dunk to open the third, but the Breakers soon after went on an 11-0 run. That saw the lead extend to 25 points. Tyler Johnson tried to spark the Bullets, knocking down multiple three’s. However the Breakers had all the answers and were leading by 20 at three quarter-time.

Brisbane continued to fight, but the Breakers were able to take the game on the road, 99-71.

Both teams have a short turnaround to playing again on Saturday as part of Pride Round. The Bullets head up to Cairns to play the Taipans before returning to home to replay the New Zealand Breakers next Saturday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 17

BRISBANE BULLETS 71 (Johnson 20, Baynes 13, Sobey 13)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 99 (Brantley 22, Pardon 17, Brown Jr 14) 

BOX SCORE