31 Mar 2012

Lemanis says Breakers didn't play to usual high standards

7:05 pm on 31 March 2012

The New Zealand Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis says his side didn't play to the usual high standard it sets for itself when it lost 99-82 to the Townsville Crocodiles in Auckland on Friday night.

The loss in game one of the best-of-three semi-final series means the Breakers will have to win their second semi away from home to retain their National Basketball League title.

The Crocodiles outplayed the Breakers in most areas of the game, shooting at 57 percent compared to 45 percent for the Breakers, and out-rebounding the Breakers 35-27.

Lemanis says the visitors shot well but the Breakers also lacked some defensive intensity. However he's confident his side will bounce back for their encounter in Townsville on Thursday.