Backcourt battle looms large against Breakers

Adelaide 36ers will travel across the Tasman this round to battle New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena on Saturday.

In a top four battle, the Breakers (3^rd, 4-2) are coming off a confidence boosting win in Sydney against the Kings last Sunday missing three key players.

Former 36ers Mitch McCarron (knee) and Mojave King (calf) missed the win against Sydney, as well as forward Max Darling (groin). King is a chance to play on Saturday, with McCarron and Darling likely to miss the contest.

Adelaide will also be full of confidence after coming back from a 19-point deficit in last Friday night’s 99-93 win against Cairns Taipans at the Entertainment Centre. 

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THE KEY
Arguably one of the top players in the NBL and in the conversation for the MVP award, point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the main man for the Breakers.

The point guard not only runs the New Zealand offence, he is a multiple threat for all defences with his scoring ability as well as his skill to find teammates.

In last Sunday’s win in Sydney against the Kings, Jackson-Cartwright scored 21 points at 50 per cent shooting and dished eight assists.

The 180cm point guard has increased his assists output so far in NBL25, averaging 7.8 assists per game, up from 5.8 per match in NBL24.

Jackson-Cartwright will go head-to-head with Kendric Davis on Saturday night in what looms to be the marquee match-up of the contest.

THE SECRET
After bringing back Jackson-Cartwright, New Zealand retooled their other two import spots for NBL25, adding shooting guard Matt Mooney and big man Freddie Gillespie.

Mooney caught fire last Sunday against the Kings in Sydney, swishing a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers, to go with five assists.

The 27-year-old is shooting the three at over 40 per cent across his first six NBL games this season and is a big threat from the perimeter for the 36ers defence.

A shootout between Mooney and DJ Vasiljevic looks very likely, while expect Sunday Dech to get the first assignment on the Breakers two guard.

Gillespie will battle inside against Montrezl Harrell, while the Breakers also have Sam Mennenga, who can stretch the floor and hit from the perimeter.

DEPTH CHART
Jackson-Cartwright / McNaught
Mooney / Isaac
Lopez / King / Bairstow
Bolden / Anticevich / Davison
Mennenga / Gillespie / Pineau

FINAL WORD
With a spot in the top three and potentially the top two in the standings up for grabs, this match is huge for both teams.

Adelaide will be looking to extend the winning streak to three games, while the Breakers will be looking to build on their big effort in Sydney and will want to improve on their last performance at home, a 26-point loss to South East Melbourne.

Both teams have injury concerns, and player availability will be key with a number of important players potentially returning to the court.

The 36ers have already defeated New Zealand this season, a 98-91 win at the NBL Blitz and once again the backcourt battle will go a long way to what side gets the desired result.