Clear 'Psychological Advantage' Ahead of Game 3 Fight

The NBL Championship Series may be evenly poised at one win apiece heading into Friday night’s Game 3, but former NBL champion Damon Lowery believes one side holds a massive advantage as we approach the business end of the season.

Although they dropped the first game of the series at home, the Kings rebounded in the absence of star duo Derrick Walton Jr and Xavier Cooks to snatch Game 2 from the Breakers. Thanks to that gutsy win – a win NBL analyst Liam Santamaria labelled as one of the all-time great NBL victories – we’re back to where we started at an even ledger.

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“A Championship Series is like a TV drama – you’re going to get all the highs and the lows, and all the twists and turns,” Lowery said on NBL Today. “even though this series is 1-1, I thought it would be 1-1 the other way with both teams winning at home but it’s been the opposite and strange things are likely to continue.

“Sydney has a psychological advantage – it’s a lot to talk about the x’s and o’s and substitutions and that type of thing, but from a mental and psychological point of view I think Sydney know they dodged a bullet, and I think New Zealand know they blew one.

“Now all of a sudden it’s a three-game series but I think it’s advantage Sydney.”

Will McDowell-White loomed as a key for the Breakers’ hopes for success leading into the series, and he’s proven his standing as the crucial cog in New Zealand’s side with his first two performances of the series.

After his 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists led the Breakers to victory in Game 1, his struggles in Game 2 were a large part of what relegated them to defeat.

He finished that game with seven points on 25 per cent shooting, three rebounds, four assists and six turnovers.

“I was almost on the verge of calling him Willy Wonka in the New Zealand Breakers’ chocolate factory but he turned up a very bad Game 2,” Lowery said.

“The disappointing part was his half time interview with Casey Frank – he admitted to being tired and then he came out and turned the ball over three consecutive times.

“He needs to step up, and even if he feels that way he can’t let that show. He’s the focal point for the Breakers.”

Game 3 of the NBL23 Championship Series tips off on Friday, March 10 at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, and Sky Sport and Prime in New Zealand.