Going into the final week, 5 teams are still in the hunt for the playoffs and Perth (currently on 16 wins) is the only team that have definitely qualified. The other 3 qualifying positions will be decided by this week’s results.

If teams finish with the same number of wins, then a series of tie breakers is used to determine who has the higher placing.

If 2 teams are tied, it comes down to who has won the 4 game series between those teams during the regular season – if it is 2 games all then it comes down to points differential.

If more than 2 teams are tied on the same number of wins, the first tie-breaker is the result of the individual season series – so if 3 teams are tied, and one team has the season series split over the other 2 then that team will finish in the higher position. If the season series results still doesn’t break the tie, the points differential in games between the teams that are tied will decide who finishes higher.

Which is all very interesting – but what does it mean in terms of the Breakers being in the playoffs?

The first part of the equation is that the Breakers must win both of our games this week, at home on Thursday night against the Gold Coast and then away on Saturday night at the Cairns Taipans. That would get us to 15 wins and a chance at the playoffs.

Then it comes down to other results – this is the scenario for the other teams in the playoff race:

Townsville Crocs – 15 wins, games remaining at home vs Adelaide and away vs Perth.

Gold Coast Blaze – 15 wins, games remaining away vs Breakers and away vs Tigers.

Wollongong Hawks – 14 wins, games remaining at home vs Tigers and away vs Adelaide.

So for the Breakers to be in the playoffs, we still need these teams to lose either one or both of their remaining games. Depending on those results, these are the possible outcomes:

Townsville and Gold Coast finish on 16 wins, Breakers and Wollongong 15 wins.

Wollongong advance to playoffs with series split over Breakers.

Gold Coast, Wollongong and Breakers finish on 15 wins.

Wollongong advance with series splits over both teams. Other team will be determined by Thursday night’s result – a Breakers win by more than 8 takes the season series and the playoff position.

Wollongong, Townsville and Breakers finish on 15 wins.

Wollongong has season split on both teams, finishes 3^rd. Breakers take 4^th with season split over Crocs.

Townsville, Gold Coast and Breakers finish on 15 wins.

Breakers finish 3^rd due to best points differential. Blaze finish 4^th on points differential.

It is quite likely that the final finishing positions and who is in the playoffs isn’t known until late on Saturday night in Perth, once the final whistle goes in the Wildcats vs Crocs game! What a great season of basketball.

Whatever the scenarios, the most important thing is that we need to start with a Breakers win on Thursday night. It is also Tony Ronaldson’s last regular season home game after more than 20 years in the NBL, so there is even more reason to pack the NSEC and get right behind the boys. Tell your friends, tell your family – tell people you don’t even know! Get to the NSEC and let’s give the Bear a huge party and the boys the backing they need to keep the playoff dream alive!

For more information on how the playoffs work, just click here.

Round 18 of the Australian National Basketball League’s competition was dedicated to CanTeen, and although we didn’t have a home game during this round we still wanted to contribute in some way.

CanTeen is the only New Zealand charity working for 13-24yr olds living with cancer including patients, and bereaved siblings. CanTeen does not receive any government funding and are therefore reliant on donations and the support of the community.

The Burger King Breakers are auctioning an Ultimate Breakers Experience to this Thursday’s home game and an official signed basketball belonging to the team.

• The Ultimate Breakers Experience is for a true Breakers fan, with the opportunity for you and a friend to sit on the Team bench plus more great additions to the evening – click here to check out this auction! 
• To check out the Breakers basketball auction, please click here.

The money raised for these two auctions will be given directly to CanTeen.

We helped CanTeen tipoff their main campaign - CanTeen’s Bandanna Challenge – last October, which always proves to be a colourful occasion! This week, we would like you to help spread the word about CanTeen. Click here to view the Team’s personal message and let's pay it forward!

To find out more about CanTeen, how you can get involved, or to make a donation visit canteen.org.nz. Thank you for joining us in supporting CanTeen to do all they can for these young people.

A win for the Burger King Breakers keeps the season alive and hopes that Ronaldson will return for more action in the semi finals, adding even more reason for a big turnout on Thursday as the Breakers look to continue a 4 game winning streak against the Blaze.

Ronaldson holds the record for games played in the league (663 and counting) and features in just about every top ten list of statistics, with over 10,000 points to his name.

So 'book for The Bear', get your tickets online, get them early and let's fill the house for Thursday night's crucial clash against the Blaze as the Breakers keep the season alive!

Burger King Breakers v Gold Coast Blaze
Thursday 11th February
Doors Open 6pm
Team Entry including 'The Bear' 6.40pm

For tickets, click here

Another stellar performance from Kirk Penney helped the New Zealand Breakers to their fourth straight victory, downing the Wollongong Hawks 88-60 at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night.

After losing their last three games to Wollongong, the Breakers came out firing and led the entire game to keep their playoff hopes alive by pulling a game back on the team whose fourth place they covet.

Penney, as usual, led from the front and top-scored for his side with 23 points and was once again backed up well by CJ Bruton (19 points).

The Hawks struggled to retain enough possession of the ball and never really threatened the home side. Captain Mat Campbell did his best to lead the side, but the points never came Wollongong's way, made evident by Tim Coenraad and Cameron Tragardh top-scoring with just 12 points.

The Breakers got off to an ideal start with Bruton nailing two quick three-pointers to help his side out to an early lead. Meanwhile the Hawks were struggling for accuracy and were clearly missing star import Tywain McKee who is out for the season with a back injury.

Things seemed to get worse for the Hawks when 216cm 22-year-old Alex Pledger made an appearance from the bench and immediately made an impact. The centre was far outjumping the Hawks defenders under the net, allowing Penney and Bruton to pile on some early points.

Although the Breakers slowed down the scoring somewhat, the hostse still managed to take a 19-16 lead into the first break.

The Breakers began the second quarter a little more conservatively but continued their outstanding defence to hold onto a decent buffer over the Hawks.

Campbell led a mini-comeback towards the end of the half with two three-pointers after capitalising on some wayward passes from the Breakers.

Penney steered his side back on course however to end the half with a 42-34 lead after picking up 12 points of his own during the half.

Tony Ronaldson became the eighth New Zealand Breaker to reach 1000 points for the club early in the second half when he nailed two free-throws to extend his side's lead. The game was Ronaldson's 86th for the Breakers and his 662nd game in the league.

Penney continued his control on the match deep into the third-quarter and allowed the Breakers to balloon out to a 15-point lead. The Hawks were having difficulty controlling the inspirational skipper who was on-target with most of his shots and was slipping through the defence with ease.

The Breakers looked to have it made late in the third quarter when they got out to a 20-point lead with the Hawks losing a lot of possession in scoring opportunities.

Wollongong forward Coenraad was the only player that seemed to be able to notch any points, securing 10 shortly before the end of the third quarter.

The Breakers came into the final quarter with a 16-point lead (63-47), knowing a win was well-and-truly within reach if they managed to do more of the same in the final quarter.

The home side was doing all it could to keep the clock ticking as time began to run out for the Hawks who were desperately trying to claw their way back into the game.

In the end the deficit was far too big for the Hawks to overcome as the Breakers secured a massive 88-60 win to keep their play-off hopes alive in their penultimate game of the regular season.

New Zealand Breakers 88 (Penney 23, Bruton 19, Ronaldson 10)

Wollongong Hawks 60 (Coenraad 12, Tragardh 12, Campbell 8)

@ the North Shore Events Centre.
 

Where and When: Thursday 3 February, North Shore Events Centre, 7:00pm (local) 
 
Past Five Games:
Breakers: WWWLL
Hawks: LWWLW
 
Past Three Head-to Head:
Wollongong Hawks 83-78 New Zealand Breakers, Round 15, 2010
New Zealand Breakers 91-93 Wollongong Hawks, Round 11, 2009
Wollongong Hawks 76-65 New Zealand Breakers, Round 4, 2009
 
Season Series:
Wollongong Hawks 3-0 New Zealand Breakers
 
Current Standings:
Hawks 13-11 (4th), Breakers 12-13 (5th)
 
New Zealand faces a must-win match when it welcomes Wollongong to the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night.
 
The scenario is simple for the Breakers. Win and their slim finals hopes are still alive or lose and their season is almost definitely over.
 
But it won't be easy for the hosts, as they haven't beaten the Hawks in their last five attempts.
 
They do, however, carry good form into this encounter with wins over Adelaide, Gold Coast and Townsville in their past three matches.
 
Also working in their advantage is the fact that Wollongong has only won two out of 12 matches on the road this season.
 
But there are fitness doubts hanging over the heads of key Breakers Tom Abercrombie and Rick Rickert. Abercrombie is still struggling with the ankle injury that forced him out of the win over the Crocs, while Rickert limped off the court in that match and has taken no part in training this week.
 
The Hawks enter this clash with a full roster to choose from, except for star import Tywain McKee, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a back injury.
 
If New Zealand is to win, it will need another big performance from its star player Kirk Penney. The guard has hit 85 points in the Breakers' last three matches and the last time he played at home he scored an amazing 49 points. He also averages a league-high 21.4 points per game.
 
But the Breakers don't just have to rely on Penney, with valuable contributions from Tony Ronaldson, who announced on Tuesday he will retire at season's end, Kevin Braswell and veteran CJ Burton in the past three weeks.
 
After occupying one of the top positions for the majority of the season, Wollongong has really struggled in 2010 with three scores below 66 in its past six matches.
 
Wollongong managed just 59 points last start against the Crocs with Cameron Tragardh the only Hawk to reach double figures with 10 points.
 
Despite the low scoring in recent weeks, the Hawks are capable of big scores and what makes them so hard to stop is they have such an even contribution across the board.
 
Before losing to the Crocs, they beat Townsville with five players reaching double figures and the week before they defeated Gold Coast with six players scoring 11 points or more.
 
The league's leading rebounder Larry Davidson will again be out to make his presence felt, while Glen Saville and Mat Campbell bring good form into this contest.
 
However with Penney firing and the Hawks' dismal away record, the Breakers should have enough fire power to keep their season alive.
 
Sportal Tip: Breakers by 3

Burger King NZ Breakers forward Tony Ronaldson, otherwise known as ‘The Bear’ has called time on his outstanding basketball career, announcing today that this season with the Breakers will be his last in the Australian National Basketball League.

Ronaldson’s career stretches back an incredible 20 years and 662 games (with the remainder of this season still to be played). Amongst the many records Ronaldson holds is the greatest number of games by any player in the Australian National Basketball League, a record he owned when passing the great Andrew Gaze total of 612 during last season.

The 37 year old has no regrets in the game and can reflect fondly on some great memories.

“It is hard to pick out individual moments but representing my country on any occasion has to rank as a highlight for me. Whether it was the Olympic Games, World Champs, Commonwealth Games (gold medal) or a tour to the States where you play against top sides, it was always an honour to play in the green and gold.

“And of course winning two ANBL championships and hoping there is one more yet with the Breakers, they are the best memories of playing in this league.”

When asked to nominate those who have been pivotal to his career, Ronaldson prefers not to single people out.

“There are too many people to name. The reason I played for so long is down to the relationships I have made. Whether or not the friendship is maintained on a daily basis is not the point, once you have been on a team with someone you might not see them for 20 years but when you do it is like only a day has passed by. Few other work environments can provide that, so that is what I’ll take home, the relationships and catching up with lifelong friends - even if I see them sporadically.”

Ronaldson admits he had no idea his career would prove as lengthy as he recalls first starting out as a raw 17 year old.

“My first contract was for 15 thousand dollars and no, I never knew where this thing was going, at that stage it was purely about playing as the money didn’t support you. My goals then were making the Aussie team and playing well each game, I certainly didn’t think of a 20 year career. I can be very satisfied at the time I have had in the game, few get to play as long as I have, I’m lucky.”

Ronaldson has thought about the future but as yet, is undecided about where it will take him.

“I have no specific trade; I have an interest in the construction industry and will put some feelers out. But I’ve had one job in my life, I am going into the unknown but as with basketball I back myself to pick something up and run with a new challenge, I am excited about that. It is frightening but exciting, whatever it may be.

“I will however stay involved with the media, which is one option to develop over time. I have enjoyed some opportunities in the past few years and would certainly like to continue in that area.”

Appearing in seven NBL Grand Finals and being part of two Championship-winning teams in 1992 and 1996. No player has won more NBL matches than ‘Bear’, a former Australian Boomer, double Olympian and a gold medalist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Burger King Breakers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis was fulsome in his praise of one of the NBL’s true greats.

“I actually played alongside Tony at the South East Melbourne Magic and have since had the pleasure of coaching him of course with the Breakers. The thing that most impresses me about Tony, aside from the obvious stats that he has put up in his career, has been his ability to reinvent himself and find ways to contribute to different teams in different ways. He is clearly not the player he was when he debuted 20 years ago as a raw 17 year old but his ability to adapt to each environment he has been in and mature as a player and a person has been enormous and has kept him in the game when others have since long departed.

“Of late with the Breakers that has meant great leadership and maturity on and off the court. That and his continued ability to influence a game at key moments have been invaluable to us as a group and to me as a coach. It has been a pleasure being involved in his career – he will be remembered as one of the greats of the game and an NBL Hall of Famer. I wish him well in the next phase of his life – knowing his personality; he will certainly find a way to make it successful.”

CJ Bruton spoke on behalf of the players of his club and former international team mate.

“Bear is a classy player, always committed to the team and always wants desperately to win. Every club would love to have Tony on the team; we have certainly enjoyed him here at the Breakers. He has always been a big game player and can be relied on down the stretch.

“He has always put his country first as well, when he could have been earning big money overseas he put his club and country first, that is the guy he is. I have seen the sacrifices and hard work he has put in over the years to reach goals with the ultimate one being the Olympic Games. We shared the captaincy too at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games when we beat NZ for the gold medal - that will always be a special memory for us both. I don’t think people and the game of basketball quite realize how much they will miss the Bear.”

Ronaldson will suit up at home at least two more times, starting this Thursday night against the Wollongong Hawks in a game that has ‘must win’ written all over it for the North Shore based side. Victory on Thursday will keep the championship dream alive for the club, and for the departing Tony Ronaldson.

Tony Ronaldson Career Profile
Date of Birth 25/ 05/1972
Height 203 cm
Birth Place Adelaide, South Australia
NBL Clubs
Eastside Spectres 1990-91; South East Melbourne Magic 1992-98; Victoria Titans 1999-2002; Perth Wildcats 2003 - 2007; NZ Breakers 2008 – Current
International Career
1996 Olympic Games
2004 Olympic Games
2006 Commonwealth Games (co-captain, gold medal)
Numerous World Championships
Games Played for Australia                                                                                            
                                                                   Junior       Senior         Total
Official International Competition                 10               42               52
Other International Competition                   36             158             194
Other Competition                                                            8                8
TOTAL                                                          46             208             254

The club is continuing with the mantra of ‘one game at a time’ following the defeat of the Crocodiles on Wednesday night and is not getting caught up in any talk of winning runs or indeed the play offs.

Veteran forward Tony Ronaldson says the only game occupying the minds of the Breakers is Thursday night’s clash with the Hawks.

"We are not concerned with how many games we have won, how many we might win or how many we need to win. Our only focus is on winning the next game and working hard in practice to give ourselves the best shot at achieving that. And that means all of our energy is on scouting the Hawks and preparing to play them at home next Thursday. Last night was good but last night is done, it is the next game and the next game only that concerns us."

The win over the Crocodiles was secured on the back of a strong all round team performance with Oscar Forman contributing 19 points to back up Kirk Penney (20) and CJ Bruton (15) in the scoring stakes while Rick Rickert (11) and Penney (9) secured the necessary boards to allow the offence to tick over. Guard Kevin Braswell contributed a game high 5 assists and 5 steals as he continues to find his feet in a Breakers singlet.

It was no surprise during the week also to see Kirk Penney pick up Player of the Week honours after his record breaking 49 point haul against the 36ers a week ago. This is the first time Penney has won the award this season but he is the third Breaker to do so after CJ Bruton and Oscar Forman.

The shooting guard was typically humble in receiving the award.

"As I said after the game against the 36ers this is not about personal milestones, it is about us as a group winning games and we all did what we had to against the 36ers that night. It just worked out that I was the guy benefiting from some great plays and screens giving me plenty of open looks at the basket. This is an honour for me but more so recognition for the team but we have already moved on and have all of our energy and focus on the Hawks next Thursday, which is the only game that matters to us right now."

Penney shot 16-of-23 from the field against the 36ers, which included 9-of-15 from the three-point line. He also made 8-of-11 attempts from the free throw stripe, and added five rebounds, five assists and two steals to his stellar night. Penney’s 49 points was just one point shy of Carlos Powell’s club record of 50 points. Powell however produced his 50 points in a 48-minute game, rather than the 40-minute version being played this season in the NBL.

Even though Adelaide made a spirited comeback to give themselves a fourth quarter lead, it was Penney who stood up and kept the New Zealand scoreboard ticking over just when it looked like their fourth quarter wobbles were coming back, scoring 16 final quarter points.

Penney and the Breakers then had to travel to the Gold Coast to take on the Blaze in a match that may well have set them up for the playoffs. The Blaze were ready for Penney in this contest, limiting him to just two first quarter points. However with the game still in the balance late in the fourth Penney’s scoring mindset helped the Breakers blow the game wide open. A two-point Penney field goal then a three-pointer gave the Breakers a comfortable 15-point lead with five minutes to go. Penney finished with 14 points and six rebounds, helping the Breakers take out a monster road win and keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.

Penney’s 49 against Adelaide was the second-highest ever in a 40-minute NBL game behind Reg Biddings’ 63 on 12/4/1981 and was easily the highest score by any player in the league this season, blowing away the previous best mark of 37 set by Townsville’s Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams. 　

‘Burger King’ New Zealand Breakers 91 (Kirk Penney 20, Oscar Forman 19, CJ Bruton 15)

defeated

Townsville ‘McDonald’s’ Crocodiles 86 (Peter Crawford 21, Corey Williams 12, Rolan Roberts 11)

Venue: Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre

Next home game:

Burger King NZ Breakers v Wollongong Hawks

Thursday 4th February

North Shore Events Centre

6.00pm Doors Open

6.40pm Team Entry

7.00pm Tip Off

The New Zealand Breakers have continued their resurgence defeating the Townsville Crocodiles 91-86 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

Kirk Penney (20), Oscar Forman (19) and CJ Bruton (14) caused the damage for the Breakers while Peter Crawford (21) Corey Williams (12) and Rolan Roberts (11) starred for the Crocodiles.

It was an even affair for most of the night until the visitors pulled out its big shots late in the quarter which the homeside could not match.

It marked the third win in a row for New Zealand as it climbs back up the table and the second loss in a row for Townsville after a over time defeat at the hands of the Cairns Taipans.

New Zealand skipped to an early 8-4 lead with Kirk Penney stamping his presence with two quick three pointers.

Townsville responded to a 12-10 lead with Peter Crawford showing he too could sink form beyond the arc with a pair.

Crawford snuck in a third long-ranger on the shot clock buzzer and in the final minute to keep the homeside in front 22-19 at quarter time.

It was a sloppy return to the court with both teams guilty of air-balls and turnovers as the scoreboard ticked over.

The Breakers capitalised to close the gap 32-33 with CJ Bruton and Tony Ronaldson making nine free throws.

The Crocodiles muscled up with Cameron Tovey dominating the paint to tip in two easy baskets to stay in front 40-39 at half time.

New Zealand levelled the scores before taking a 53-47 lead with CJ Bruton gifted baskets from a technical foul and  Kevin Braswell following with a three-pointer.

Townsville held on with Crawford getting back in the action after a scoreless second quarter to add 10 points to his tally and slash the visitor’s margin to 68-65 at three-quarter time.

Rick Rickert hobbled off the court at the start of the final term but he would return with five minutes on the clock.

The Crocodiles grabbed the lead back 72-70 with Corey Williams delivering a precise jump shot over a stacked defence.

The Breakers clicked into gear with Bruton delivered two three-pointers when it mattered most before Penney followed suit to close the game 91-86

New Zealand Breakers 91 (Penney 20, Forman 19, Bruton 15)

Townsville Crocodiles 86 (Crawford 21, Williams 12, Roberts 11)

@Townsville Entertainment Centre 08/01/10 Attendance 3,480

Live Streaming of tonight's away game clash versus the Townsville Crocs will be available via Rivus T.V.

Please click here to be diverted to Rivus T.V.'s Live Streaming page. Please note that AUD $5 charge applies for live streaming of the game.

Tipoff is at 10.30pm NZT.

It's crunch time for all teams in the league with playoffs looming - make sure you don't miss any of the action! We'll see you at next week's home game - February 4th, 7pm, at North Shore Events Centre. Get your tickets NOW!

GO BREAKERS!

Kirk scored a phenomenal 49 points, breaking two records and coming mighty close to a third in the process.

Early in the second half he moved beyond Aaron Olson (1800 points) as the Breakers all time leading scorer. With 3:31 remaining in the fourth quarter he made a pair of free throws to ease past his previous game high of 41 points achieved against Wollongong on the opening game of last season. These two freebies eased the fans nerves as the Breakers lead extended into double figures Entering the final minute he had a couple of long range three point attempts to equal the club record of 50 points in a single game achieved by Carlos Powell (versus Melbourne Tigers, 17.12.06). Both attempts failed to drop but Penney would have been immensely satisfied with his best haul since his days at Westlake Boys High School.

Penney, in his third season with the club was playing his 76th game and has maintained an impressive scoring average of 24 points a game. In addition, the current MVP of the league is 6th all time for the club in assists (212 @2.4apg), 6th all time in steals (69 @ 0.9apg) and 9th all time in rebounds (356 @ 4.6rpg)

Nothing would please Penney more than a third consecutive appearance in the end of season play offs. 24 points a game would be mighty handy as the team look to win all of their remaining four regular season games. Another 40 plus points game highly unlikely but not impossible for KP.