New Zealand Breakers win third NBL title
The New Zealand Breakers have proven themselves to be the kings of Australian Basketball by once again winning the NBL championships, the franchises third in succession.
The Breakers tied a record with their three-peat of NBL crowns, equalling the hat-trick of titles won by the Sydney Kings, making them the only two franchises in the league to secure three consecutive titles. It was also the second time in succession that the Breakers defeated the Perth Wildcats in the finals, while they also ended their season at the semi-final stage in 2011.
Despite the dominance of the New Zealand Breakers in recent years, the 13,527 excited fans jammed inside the Perth Arena were treated to an amazing climax to the NBL season. Luckily the game was no foregone conclusion at the start and it proved to be an exciting matchup as the Breakers fought out an exhilarating tussle with the Perth Wildcats before eventually emerging as 70-66 winners.
Although this was an epically breathless match, the New Zealand Breakers enjoyed a healthy lead during the second half and were winning by 11 points at the buzzer for the third quarter and by 8 points with just 3 minutes remaining. However, any thoughts from the Breakers players of coasting to victory were quickly quashed as the Wildcats rallied in the final minutes of the match.
Some huge plays from the Wildcats including a three pointer from Shawn Redhage and free throws from Greg Hire put the Perth team within a point with just 28 seconds on the clock. Any thoughts of the Wildcats clinching victory from the jaws of defeat were ended when Breakers guard CJ Bruton stepped up with three points to secure the victory.
Indeed Bruton had put in another fine display in a season ending game and secured 16 points for the New Zealand Breakers, while he also hit 4 of 5 from beyond the three point line. With the Breakers’ victory came Bruton’s record-equalling sixth NBL championship.
Despite a top class effort, not even Bruton’s heroics could land him MVP. That honour went to Breakers guard Cedric Jackson, who added 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals to claim the Larry Sengstock Medal for Grand Final MVP.