Breakers keep defying odds but Hawks prevail

The New Zealand Breakers delivered a typically full of heart performance as they farewelled Australia this NBL season but the Illawarra Hawks escaped with a crucial 73-71 win at home on Saturday night.

It's hard to fathom what the Breakers have gone through as a group since relocating to Australia at the start of December for this NBL season and being away from home ever since, but they continue to fight against the odds.

Still missing Tom Abercrombie and Levi Randolph against the Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre in what is their 30th and last game of the season before getting back to Auckland, they refused to give in even when down 15 points in the third quarter.

But the Breakers fired back and even took the lead during the fourth team, and still had a final possession with a chance to etiehr tie scores or win it.

It wasn’t quite to be, though, and it all came down to a massive Justin Simon steal for the Hawks on Tai Webster who was shaping up to try and make his move. But that was enough for the Hawks to win by two points, improve to a 15-14 record and retain their top four spot.

Tyler Harvey top-scored again for Illawarra with 24 points while Simon's impact is only partly with his 11 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.

Justinian Jessup put up 12 points and Sam Froling 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Hawks.

It was the defensive performance led by Simon that had Goorjian at least relieved post-match to have won the game.

"These last three games that we've won we've virtually held teams into the 60s to win. I said last time it was keyed off Justin and you go back to the New Zealand game in Tasmania, he had the block to win the game and tonight he had the steal to win the game," Goorjian said.

"Right now whoever we play, it's extremely difficult and I was expecting what took place tonight. When you are scoring like we are right now in the 60s or 70s, you're not running away from anybody so it's about defensive plays at the end and Justin has made them to keep our season alive."

It was a brave showing once again from New Zealand with Finn Delany putting up 20 points and 11 rebounds despite shooting just 5/18 from the field.

William McDowell-White added 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, Rasmus Bach 13 points, four boards and three assists, Tai Webster nine points, six rebounds and five assists, and Rob Loe eight points and seven boards.

Breakers coach Dan Shamir wasn’t quite ready to celebrate the fact they'd be going home in the morning though.

"Right now I'm not thinking about that, immediately after the game I have other things on my mind but I am excited to go home," Shamir said.

"We were excited until two hours over the last few days, and we did need that oxygen, but straight after the game you have those emotions of being involved in a close one. It's even harder so we'll wait a little before getting excited about going home again."

The game started with a flurry of threes with Tyler Harvey connecting for Illawarra, and Finn Delany for New Zealand, but the Hawks worked their way on top until Delany took over. He drilled another couple of threes and had 13 points in the opening term to help the Breakers lead 27-24.

Tai Webster stretched the New Zealand lead to seven to open the second quarter but then Emmett Naar sparked a Hawks revival. They then closed the half on a 6-0 run courtesy of Justin Simon and Harvey to go in the break in control up 42-35 having forced the visitors into 10 turnovers.

Justinian Jessup helped Illawarra to a 15-point lead early in the second half, but the heart of the Breakers can never be denied. A pair of Rasmus Back three-pointers and another from Corey Webster, and it was only an eight-point game at three quarter-time.

New Zealand was anything but done with yet too. Five points from William McDowell-White had then within four, and suddenly triples from Delany and Bach saw them take a stunning lead.

Some huge Sam Froling plays at both ends of the floor regained the edge for Illawarra but still New Zealand kept coming and were back in front at 71-70 with a Rob Loe put back and Tai Webster free-throws.

Harvey put Illawarra back up 72-71 but there was drama to come. A tech foul against the Hawks for a second flop was one big moment but Delany missed the free-throw.

But still with the shot clock turned, New Zealand had possession and then got a second chance on an offensive board. Tai Webster was up top with Simon, but the Hawks defensive master read his crossover to grab the steal and the game was done with the Hawks winning by two.

The Hawks remain at home to host Melbourne United on Tuesday while the Breakers finally get back to Auckland to host the Sydney Kings on Thursday at The Trusts Arena.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 18

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 73 (Harvey 24, Froling 12, Jessup 12)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 71 (Delany 20, McDowell-White 14, Bach 13) 

BOX SCORE