Spark Arena Cheers Homecoming Breakers to First Win Back

For 489 days the New Zealand Breakers have missed out on playing in front of their home fans but they ended that streak with a 71-65 win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at Spark Arena on Friday night.

Two pandemic-ruined years forced New Zealand fans to go without NBL basketball and locals turned out in force with a crowd of 5340 packing out the Auckland venue.

It was a bit of a grind at times and only 17 points were scored combined in the third quarter, but the locals didn’t care as they saw what they hope will be the start of a bumper season for an athletic Breakers side.

They were able to overcome a horror night on the glass to lead for almost every second of the game to open their account for NBL23 and send last year's Grand Finalists to an 0-3 start after losses already to the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Cairns Taipans.

NBA import Jarrell Brantley was a tower of strength for the Breakers with 16 of his 19 points coming in the first half on a tremendously efficient 7/8 shooting from the field while hitting his two three-point attempts.

Izayah Le’afa was playing in front of family and friends in his first ever home game for the Breakers after spending the last six years away from home while at college and then at the Phoenix. He celebrated the occasion with 16 points and four rebounds.

Barry Brown Jr had his moments too for 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals while Next Star Rayan Rupert added seven points, Rob Loe seven points and seven rebounds, and Tom Vodanovich six points.

"It’s huge to be home. You could feel the energy in the building," Loe said.

"Even before the game today, I took my son down to the playground and someone said "good luck" to me. You don’t get that playing in Australia."

Breakers coach Mody Maor was relieved to get the win on such a big occasion.

"The best moment was after the game when everyone got to be with their families - everyone’s families came down and you get to share the win with the people that you love," Maor said.

"If you ask me, I think this group had the weight of two years on their shoulders. I felt we controlled the first half and then the weight stuck on our shoulders but we hang our hat on our defence.

"That is what this team will be this year. The offence will come, the freedom will come and we saw that in glimpses in the first half. If we need to squeeze out wins like this, then by all means [we will]."

Tasmania pulled in a stunning 21 offensive rebounds and it kept them in the game after shooting just 36 per cent from the field.

Jack McVeigh top-scored with 19 points and six rebounds for the JackJumpers with Rashard Kelly adding 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Josh Magette seven points, five rebounds and five assists.

"I’m quite proud of my group,” JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said.

"The ball didn't go in but we competed at what we competed at. We solved some problems and I’m pretty happy with my group."

Maor urged his players to treat their return home like any other home game but the team was clearly fired up by the crowd blasting away to a 15-5 lead in the opening minutes as Brantley and Le’afa did the bulk of the scoring.

But true to their way, the JackJumpers refused to give up and began clawing their way back to trail 25-18 at quarter-time.

Brantley was causing all kinds of problems for the visitors both inside and out but Tasmania continued to attack the offensive boards and look to drive and create which saw them close to within a point after a basket from Jack McVeigh.

The Breakers collected themselves and rode the strength of Brantley, who had 16 points for the half, and some nifty moves from Brown to take a 46-39 lead into half-time.

The JackJumpers and Breakers put the clamps on each other in the third term which saw scoring drop to just 11-6, two coach’s challenges from Tasmania caught the eye as Scott Roth won a challenge on a blocking foul after Brantley ran through Matt Kenyon.

However, he lost a second challenge later in the term as Tom Vodanovich drove through the lane and earned a blocking foul after an acrobatic lay-up.

The two sides traded buckets for much of the last term with Rashard Kelly’s putback bringing Tasmania to 67-65 down with a minute to play.

They couldn’t quite get over that hump, though, with McVeigh missing a rushed layup inside. Le'afa went up the other end and iced the win with a pair of free-throws as he celebrated his first Breakers home game in style.

The Breakers now don't play again until taking on the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne next Saturday.

It's a short turnaround for the JackJumpers who will play their fourth game already of NBL23 on Sunday afternoon when hosting the Brisbane Bullets.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 2

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 71 (Brantley 19, Le'afa 16, Brown 13)
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 65 (McVeigh 19, Kelly 13, Weeks 8) 

BOX SCORE