Sports

NBL – Townsville Crocs v New Zealand Breakers

Thursday January 21, 4.30 PM (WST), Townsville Entertainment Complex

The Breakers are back on the road in Far North Queensland for a season defining road trip, against two teams that cannot make the playoffs but are both very dangerous opponents.

Game rating – Townsville 74 v New Zealand 83

On paper the New Zealand Beakers would be confident that the next two games could be inked in as victories against Townsville and Cairns-both teams that would need a miracle to make the playoffs.  However the Crocs were nothing short of breathtaking last Saturday at home, losing in a high quality shootout (103-108) to the 36 ers.  And you only have to hark back to New Year’s Eve when the Taipans suffocated the Breakers to upset the Kiwi’s (73-66).  But this is situation critical-if the Breakers lose one of these games than it could become very difficult for them to get back into the running for the playoffs.

Prediction

So putting it simply, NZ need to win game one against the Crocs first.  New Zealand lead the series 2-0 after opening the season with a (89-81) win and then in Round 9 in Townsville it was the Breakers home (75-86).  Finally the Breakers displayed they were regaining their early season form when going down at home to Illawarra in Double OT (96-103) when they were a missed penalty shot away from winning the game.  Finally the starting five of the Breakers appear to be getting their mojo back but their weakness is depth off the bench.  If the Crocs get off the lead like they did against the 36ers then Jett, Norton and Sanham could put the Breakers out of the competition.

Suggested Bets

This a tough game to bet into.  Look for the Breakers to cover the line -4.5.

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