not entirely relevant to this thread, but Phoenix DP Luke Fennell has committed to playing College ball with Syracuse after this season.

https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/41958842/college-basketball-luke-fennell-commits-syracuse

NZ have a multitude of bigs they can throw @ Hunter, SEM have only but Hunter.

Mojave King and Mitch McCarron are both out of this game with injuries. Karim Lopez inclusion is subject to a game day fitness test.
DP's McNaught & Isaac are replacing the injured pair and Davidson is travelling in case Lopez is unable to play.

SEM without Walton. Darling might be out for the Breakers too. King is a big out for the Breakers because he is a smooth shooter who likes he is going to break out as a 15-20ppg player in the near future.

We might see a bit more of Bairstow for the Breakers who has started to get some edge minutes. He seems like he has good fundamentals.

Walton out until Mid-November

McCarron out helps NZ

McCarron has been good so far.
Brings some leadership and plays his role.

McCarron has been a bit like Darling (until last game). He has been a glue guy with a calming influence, runs their sets, and brings some energy. With him out, PJC probably needs to play 36 minutes. McNaught, great kid, but unfortunately is too small without the athleticism or killer offensive game needed to contribute at this level. Kaia Isaac should move in front of him in the rotation.

McNaught will do exactly what the Coach asks of him and bring the ball up, run a play and get down and defend. Completely agree about the lack of athleticism and offensive instinct.

Breakers need a big game from professional basketballs tallest shooting guard - jonah bolden

SEM should win this comfortably I think

Lowery and Montana on commentary again, thank F for Abercrombie being there. Nbl got some very good commentators, why do they need so many.

Lost coverage, not certain what's happening.

Back watching, missed a few minutes and games nearly gone for breakers

yikes sobes

Hunter is leaving menninga wide open on the perimeter. Breakers just have to let him shoot

He's shooting but missing. How did Bolden play nba, nbl1 more the level. Both sides are bad.

You know it's a garbage game when Lowery is commentating.

Like Abercrombie. Heard him on an NBL pod at the start of the week discussing Goulding. Very articulate and perfectly made his point. Not a blowhard like many of the other talking heads.

SEM showing some beautiful patience and selflessness in the half-court. Picking the D apart, great to watch.

The Sobey Rules

#1 - there is not a shot Sobey doesn't like.

#2 - if you think there is a shot Sobey doesn’t like, refer to Rule #1.

This could get ugly. Breakers were hanging around but at 12 points now it feels like they might fall apart.

Would prefer kaia Isaac on the floor than bairstow who doesn't look flash

I like lowery calling. Some a bit goofy but his enthusiasm is contagious

Lowery talks rubbish and Montagna has footballers knowledge, Abercrombie must be on big coin so they balance it out with these two. Give them nz guys every time.
Nz got to many out to make this competitive. SEM still defensively not great but far to much O nz.

Nz bigs miss so many shots inside and outside for all their reputation.

Anticevich has been a very solid recruit

This is an ugly game of basketball, hope this isn't the trend of this weekend, round 5 was a stinker, we need some good ball to watch.

Cool to see Majok in, first time since the end of NBL23 I believe?

Agree Dorito, united v hawks has started a lot better.

Nz are not playing finals imo, just average after PJC. SEM maybe might make a dash, need a lot to go right including the new coach.

Damn right breakers not playing finals. They're a lock in for bottom three to me, if not bottom two

Dunkman, Melbourne and Illawarra definitely looking better, high energy competitive game so far.

Unless PJC is getting a million on his own, not certain how they meet the cap minimum. They surely wouldn't have a marquee you would think.

Dunkman, which of the NZ bigs has a reputation. Boldens only reputation is that his old man was a good player!

My guess is bolden is on big money. Mooney probably reasonable. Gillespie surely budget?

Maybe they overpaid for pjc but man he's good

Bolden, Mennenga have been talked up by commentators continually, if both were as good as the commentators believe nz could be dangerous.

Bolden is soft and definitely over rated.

His father was tough but it was not passed down to him.

Same could be said about Dave Simmons and son.

3 rotation players out for NZ and they played 3 DP's along with a 17yo next star and you're surprised they struggled?

Breakers are a work in progress and last night injuries didn't help their cause.

Bolden is in his second year back after a long time away from Basketball and Menenga is in his second year as a pro and on top of that NZ rarely put the ball inside so their touches away from the perimeter are very limited.

Breakers need a plan B for when the 3's aren't dropping as otherwise it's going to be a long season.