Breakers have got some confidence. If they keep up with the D they have the offence strike power to take this one. Always wary of the Hawks because they hang around, get you in the half court game both ends and then pull a rabbit out of the hat at the death.
Do or die for us, but if we can't get up then we don't deserve to be in the playoffs.
If Illawarra press, attack it and make them pay. Make sure Oscar's first shot is contested. Don't give Ogilvy a free look. Make him put it on the floor. Try and get a hand in on Clarke's pull up. Once he gets it above his head DO NOT FOUL.

Breakers have beaten two struggling teams in mediocre games of basketball, they're going to have to step up a level to beat the Hawks in the Gong.

When they have been able to slow oppo their D has been excellent this season, but they have really struggled to slow Adelaide and Illawarra because of their turnovers.

Given the tendency of Dillard and Carter to get lost defensively it will be tough tonight. I think they're going to need to control the ball very well and shoot very well.

Tonight will be a good test for the Breakers, are they contenders or pretenders?
I heart hopes NZ will win but my head tells me the Hawks by 12.

Hawks comfortably

Casey, Carfino & Harvey, good team

Great game so far. Dillard making a difference for NZ.

What a pass by Dillard there to end the corner on the Loe 3.

Paul Carter having a tough night at the office but Penney, Dillard, Loe and Pledger playing well.
Vukona has looked injured the last few weeks, leg looks crook?

The Hawks fans constant booing of Dilard looks to have affected him

New Zealand have a habit of limping into a season, then ramping up at the right time. Looks like this season will be no different.

"The Hawks fans constant booing of Dilard looks to have affected him"

I'd say it's the consistent pressing up, trapping and double teaming keeping him quiet

26 points 7 assists and 6 rebounds, real quietly

Hopefully Abercrombie is back on the court Sunday against the Wildcats.

Dilard / Ili
Penney / Carter
Abercrombie / Delany
Vukona / Mitchell
Loe / Pledger

Fair amount of firepower with that starting 5 and a decent bench with Carter and Pledger able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Dillard is a DOMINANT BEAST! Hawkies did a reasonable job to slow him and pesker him & HE STILL OWNED THE GAME!

Only way to shut him out of the game is to go at him & try & get him in foul trouble. NZ are looking dangerous heading in to the finals.

When the Hawkies aren't hitting their 3s we miss not having an athlete (like Akil Mitchell) to own the boards & contest the glass.

Hope we go out & poach Finn Delany or Craig Moller to fill that gap for next season.

Would love to steal Sobey... but I think he'd be out of our price range : )

Hawks seemed impotent for stretches. When the shots didn't fall, they had nothing else.

Bullets imports should watch the Breakers imports for ideas. Like, trying a bit more.

That was the only downside for me. Carter's play and more his attitude. The guy can shoot..... but dribble and passing are serious weaknesses in his game. He threw his toys out of the cot when he was subbed down the stretch, but that was the right call by Henare.
Fortunately Dillard more than compensates for Carter's hissy fit.
Pledge was great last night.
Perth game tomorrow will be huge.

You're probably right Anon. Abercrombie will make a difference.
Carter just seemed so casual and careless handling the ball. Fortunately we had a healthy buffer and it did not matter.