NBL PREVIEW: Breakers v 36ers

Thursday, October 26 at 5:30pm AEDT | Spark Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports | Sky Sport in New Zealand - International viewership details
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New Zealand returned from its NBLxNBA series in Round 4 and looked sluggish to open the game against Melbourne, but rallied to almost take the game from the ladder leaders.

Finn Delany took part in the defeat but Mody Maor has warned the forward’s return to full fitness and load could take some time due to the nature of the groin injury suffered.

Adelaide moved off the bottom of the ladder for the first time this season following its win over Perth on Saturday, and the 36ers have now won two of their last three games after losing their first four.

NBLxNBA games included for New Zealand

New Zealand
88-97 loss to Melbourne
94-114 loss to Utah
66-106 loss to Portland

Adelaide
89-78 win over Perth
85-102 loss to South East Melbourne
89-80 win over Illawarra

Anthony Lamb
After linking up with the Breakers during their NBLxNBA tour, Anthony Lamb returned to the NBL with New Zealand to make his NBL debut in Round 4, and while he impressed with 15 points in the narrow loss to United, head coach Mody Maor has called on him to be better.

Lamb has arrived in the NBL after being a genuine rotation option for the Golden State Warriors last season, and he’s allowed no doubts in his intention to return to the NBA sooner rather than later.

The 25-year-old appeared in 62 regular season games for Golden State last season – with four starts – and made six playoff appearance in what looked like a breakout NBA campaign, however now he’s found himself looking to tread the same path as Jarrell Brantley did last season.

Lamb’s 15 points came on a solid 5-9 shooting night, and he also added five rebounds in the loss. He was good in his NBL debut, but if Mody Maor is to be believed there’s more to come from the Breakers’ newest recruit.

“Anthony has a lot to learn about what international basketball looks like. He’s extremely talented, extremely smart, extremely versatile, can play the right way, needs to pick up the level of intensity big time.” – Mody Maor on Anthony Lamb following the loss to Melbourne.

Kyrin Galloway
The incredible performance of Isaac Humphries in Adelaide’s win over Perth has meant Kyrin Galloway’s career-best night against the Wildcats has flown dramatically under the radar this week.

The 24-year-old has been used sporadically by CJ Bruton this season, but was injected into the pointy end of the contest against the Wildcats and played a crucial role in the 36ers registering a pressure relieving win in front of their home fans.

Galloway tied his career-best points tally with 16 in the victory and also added seven crucial rebounds, while stretching the floor to hit a trio of three-pointers.

The sporadic use of Galloway this season has reflected his NBL career so far, and the performances haven’t always lived up to the obvious talent of the NBL1 North champion, however should these types of games become the norm he could well be one of the most improved players of the NBL24 campaign.

“I was proud of his mindset, his energy within the group and his ability to impact both sides of the ball. Defensively he was really solid and his ability to grab a few of those rebounds late in the game was important ... I’m just very proud of him,” – CJ Bruton on Kyrin Galloway following the win over Perth.

Kyrin Galloway attacks the rim in Adelaide's Round 4 win over Perth.

Mangok Mathiang vs Isaac Humphries
New Zealand started their NBL24 season by utilizing Zylan Cheatham as an undersized centre alongside local star Finn Delany at the power forward, but with Delany still coming back from a groin injury, that will not be happening against the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday.

Former Illawarra big and traditional center Mangok Mathiang was given the nod to start against Melbourne United, but he struggled to get to grips with Ariel Hukporti and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and fouled out in less than eight minutes of court time.

Mangok Mathiang.

Isaac Humphries represents a different type of challenge to Melbourne’s star pair of bigs, and has absolutely no qualms with playing the role of distributor from the low post – and he’s absolutely flying after dropping 26 points, eight boards and three steals against Perth last time out.

The battle behind the likely starting centers looms as an interesting one too. Inaugural South East Melbourne member Dane Pineau stepped up to play 20 minutes against Melbourne, while Jacob Wiley, Tohi Smith-Milner and even Kyrin Galloway can rotate through the centre position for Adelaide.

Mathiang needs to find a way to impact defensively without fouling, otherwise Humphries and company could put some serious early pressure on the Breakers from the foul line.

New Zealand has lost the first quarter in 10 of its last 12 home games. While road wins are more often used as a barometer for a team’s title chances, the Breakers need to find a way to turn Spark Arena into an intimidating fortress from the opening tip if they want to further their status as true title contenders.

Zylan Cheatham.

New Zealand
Justinian Jessup – pelvis (TBC)

Adelaide
Nil