Breakers take fight to Jazz in NBLxNBA

Parker Jackson-Cartwright continued his hot early season NBL form, Next Star Karim Lopez showed he belonged on an NBA floor and despite the Utah Jazz ending up winning 116-87, there was a lot to like from the New Zealand Breakers.

The Breakers have opened their NBL25 season in impressive fashion with first up victories against the Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix ahead of embarking on representing the NBL against NBA opponents over the next week.

New Zealand made an impressive start at Delta Centre as well starting with Sam Mennenga knocking down two early three balls as he continues to thrive on joining the Breakers for NBL25.

One Breaker with previous NBA experience, Jonah Bolden, also landed a long-range bomb early doors before a couple of quick buckets to the dynamic Jackson-Cartwright.

Next Star Lopez then hit the floor and took no time hitting the scoreboard for New Zealand before Mojave King knocked down a pair of three balls as well.

When he knocked down a third from long range the Breakers were out to a 25-19 advantage with the scores tied at 29-29 by the end of one.

New Zealand were doing well to maintain pace with Utah with a dunk in transition after a steal from King having scores tied once more with five minutes of the first half to go.

However, the Breakers ended up missing their last 11 field goal attempts of the half and Utah went into the break leading 63-47.

It wasn’t until the back end of the fourth quarter where the Jazz did put some further distance between them and the Breakers to end up winning by 29 points on the back of 26 to 17 in the final period, but there was a lot for New Zealand to be encouraged about.

Utah did have some natural size and athletic advantages which led to them scoring 62 points to 36 in the paint along with 22 fast break points to eight, and their depth provided 70 bench points.

The Breakers got up 46 three-point attempts across the 48 minutes as well and ended up making 11 of those but they did help force the Jazz into 21 turnovers across the game.

Superstar guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright led the charge for New Zealand with 16 points, nine assists, three steals and two rebounds in just over 22 minutes.

Next Star Karim Lopez was another to shine with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals on 5/8 shooting.

Jonah Bolden also finished with 13 points and six rebounds, Mojave King 11 points, Matt Mooney 10 points, and Sam Mennenga 10 points and five rebounds.

Johnny Juzang ended up with 19 points on 5/6 three-point shooting in the win for the Jazz with Lauri Markkanen adding 13 points, Keyonte George 12, John Collins 12, and Brice Sensabaugh 12.

The Breakers continue their NBLxNBA Tour by playing the Philadelphia 76ers now on Tuesday morning before finishing up on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Their NBL season will then resume on the road to the Brisbane Bullets on Thursday October 17.

NBLxNBA TOUR 2024

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 87 (Jackson-Cartwright 16, Lopez 13, Bolden 13)

UTAH JAZZ 116 (Juzang 19, Markkanen 13, Sensabaugh 12, Collins 12, George 12)

BOX SCORE