30 Dec 2019

Breakers fight to four straight

5:15 am on 30 December 2019

The Breakers have claimed their fourth straight win in the Australian NBL.

Injured American import Scotty Hopson

Injured American import Scotty Hopson Photo: Photosport

The New Zealand franchise held their nerve in the latter stages to secure a 96-87 victory over the Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide on Sunday night.

Coming after they had picked up two previous wins on the road, the result lifted the Breakers to sixth on the NBL ladder.

Scotty Hopson, who had made shots in the final seconds to clinch their last two victories, was again on song for the visitors.

The star US import collected a season-high 31 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists.

Hopson found excellent support from fellow import Sek Henry, who had 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Brandon Ashley, Tom Abercrombie and Finn Delany also notched double figures.

The winning run represents a big turnaround in form for the Breakers.

After prevailing in just two of their first 10 games, they have won six of their last eight to climb their way off the bottom of the ladder.

"We played a solid game against a very strong team," said a pleased but restrained Breakers coach Dan Shamir.

"It could have gone both ways but we made a few good plays at the end."

The Breakers are now sixth on the table with an eight and ten record and play at South East Melbourne next weekend.