Breakers admit they “fell apart”

Since returning from the FIBA break, the New Zealand Breakers have hit a slump, going 0-3 against Illawarra, Perth and Melbourne.

New Zealand collapsed under Melbourne’s constant pressure, losing by 27 points on Thursday night. After the game, head coach Petteri Koponen and Sam Mennenga both said the team “fell apart” during the clash.

“The worst thing tonight, it’s the first time I didn’t see us as a team. We were trying to find excuses all the time,” Koponen said.

“We are hitting some adversity, with all the guys who are injured, guys who are coming back from injury – with travel, lack of practice time. I get it, we still have to keep playing as a team. We really fell apart.”

The Breakers were competitive in the first half, entering the main break only three points down. However, their problems started in the third quarter, where they were held to just seven points and the result snowballed out of control from there.  

“I think we broke apart (in the second half),” Mennenga said. 

“It’s a game of two halves, we did that against Perth, it’s just figuring out how to piece four quarters together and play good basketball.”

New Zealand has a short turnaround for their second Round 11 game, facing the Sydney Kings in Wellington tomorrow.

Koponen remained hopeful that 7’6" former NBA player Tacko Fall could play on Saturday, after missing Thursday’s game with a knee injury.  

“Hopefully he’s there to help us on Saturday…we really need him and the experience to play together to move forward and get better during the season,” Koponen said.  

The Breakers will host the Kings on Saturday at 5:30pm AEST live on ESPN and TVNZ+.