New Zealand Breakers vs Townsville Crocodiles
December 4, 2008 11:00 am BasketballWhere and When: Thursday 4 December, North Shore Events Centre, 7.30pm (NZDT)
Past Three Head-to-Head
Townsville Crocodiles 108-119 New Zealand Breakers, Round 9 2008.
Townsville Crocodiles 97-106 New Zealand Breakers, Round 7 2008.
Townsville Crocodiles 108-88 New Zealand Breakers, Round 17 2007.
Season Series
Breakers 2-0
Current Standings
Breakers (13-3) first, Crocs (7-7) fifth
The New Zealand Breakers have won their past five to find themselves at the top of the NBL ladder while the Townsville Crocodiles have bounced back from a five-game losing streak by winning their past three and they will be keen to consolidate their place in the top six with a win away from home on Thursday night.
The last time these two sides met in round nine New Zealand guard Kirk Penney was the chief destroyer, scoring a game-high 34 points to inspire his side to an 11-point victory.
He must be stopped if the Crocodiles are going to make it four straight.
Expect veteran guard John Rillie to go head-to-head with Penney in what shapes as being an intriguing battle between two of the NBL’s best shooters.
Rillie, who has returned to form in recent weeks will need to be productive once again on the offensive end and also apply immense defensive pressure for the full 48 minutes.
Penney is capable of breaking a game wide open in a quick burst and Rillie needs to deny him the time and space to knock down the three-ball.
The Crocodiles conceded 100 points or more during their five-match losing streak but have since got their defence right, restricting the Taipans to just 90 points in round 11.
Restricting the highest scoring team in the competition to a similar score on Thursday night will go a long way towards securing a vital win for the Crocodiles.
For the Crocodiles, import Corey Williams was instrumental in his side’s win over Cairns, scoring a team-high 24 points.
Williams is expected to be minded by New Zealand guard CJ Bruton in a match-up which will be worth the price of admission alone.
Both players are capable of posting big numbers and whichever guard is more aggressive on the offensive end and shows a greater willingness to drive and create will lead their side to victory.
When these two sides last met the Breakers had five players score in double figures and it is their scoring depth that should see them prevail in what will be a closer contest than many pundits expect.
This punter recommends putting your money on a Breakers’ win by 1-10, offering $2.85.