Match Preview: Sixers out to Break NZ in Cheatham’s return

The Adelaide 36ers have headed across the ditch, looking to build on Sunday’s win over Illawarra when they come up against the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday night.

The Sixers have never won at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena, losing on both previous visits including most recently in November 2023.

In fact, of the 41 away games against the Breakers, the Sixers have won only 14 times.

The 3-7 Breakers have been a little inconsistent this season but are coming off a record 42-point win over Illawarra in New South Wales last Friday night and will be well rested with an extra two days between games than the Sixers.

Thursday’s game will be the 700th NBL game the Breakers have played and the 11th occasion the club has played an NBL game in Christchurch.

And they have a pretty good record at the Wolfbrook Arena, having won six of their ten games there.

Sam Mennenga has been a key pillar for the Breakers so far this season, averaging 17.9 points per game to go with 8.2 rebounds, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright leads the NBL for assists per game and Izaiah Brockington also presents a threat in offence.

Thursday evening’s game will be the first time Sixers livewire Zylan Cheatham will face his former side.

Cheatham played 19 games for New Zealand in the NBL24 season, averaging 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

He admits to having mixed emotions about his return.

“It’s a whole host of emotions,” Cheatham told Adelaide 36ers Media. “There’s a bit of excitement and it’s a bit bittersweet.

“Anywhere you go and build a relationship with people and a city is good.

“I’m excited to see some familiar faces and see some old teammates but at the same time it’s a little bit bitter because it didn’t end how I wanted it to and I didn’t have the season I wanted to (when I was there).”

Cheatham has kept tabs on the Breakers since departing.

“Parker (Jackson-Cartwright) is one of my good friends, Max (Darling), Izayah Le’Afa and even Izaiah (Brockington, I played in the G league with him.

“The coaching staff is a bit different but Rob the trainer there helped me when I broke my foot and he’s still there.

“There’s a lot of familiarity for sure, but I know they’ve done an excellent job moving on since my year there with some roster changes and a lot of Kiwi locals.

“I respect them but obviously don’t wish them too much luck on Thursday.”

Cheatham currently leads the NBL for rebounds with 11 per game and has been a human highlight reel in recent weeks with his athletic dunking and desperate defending.

He knows the Breakers will be tough to beat on home soil.

“We can’t take any team lightly,” Cheatham said.

“We’ll get every team’s best shot given how we’ve been playing so far this season.

“I don’t think their record reflects how good they are this year.

“They’re a high paced transition team and taking care of the ball and matching their desperation will be important.

“We’ll have to match that intensity.”

Thursday’s game gets underway at 5:00pm ACDT.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS v ADELAIDE 36ERS 
Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, Thursday 6 November, 5:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 81, Adelaide 37, New Zealand 44

At Wolfbrook Arena
Played 2, Adelaide 0, New Zealand 2

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 26, 2025 – 36ers 94 def Breakers 78 at AEC
Dec 14, 2024 – 36ers 111 def Breakers 94 at AEC
Nov 2, 2024 - Breakers 109 def 36ers 82 at Spark Arena
Feb 18, 2024 –36ers 76 def Breakers 70 at AEC
Nov 30, 2023 – Breakers 96 def 36ers 83 at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

KEY STATS
- Adelaide has lost each of its last 10 games after trailing at quarter-time.
- Adelaide has won three of its last four games against New Zealand.
- New Zealand has lost each of its last 13 games when losing the rebound count.
- The home team has won each of the last five games between New Zealand and Adelaide.
- Heading into Round 8, Isaac Humphries ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.5%) this season.
- Bryce Cotton has scored a combined 100 points in his last two appearances against New Zealand.
- Heading into Round 8, Adelaide ranks 1st in the league for free throw percentage this season (79.4%).