Shooting Accuracy Key For Wayward NZ Breakers

The Breakers have played their last three Australian NBL games in peaks and valleys where they should be on sweeping plains, according to coach Paul Henare.

The 2015/16 ANBL runners-up have lost three of their four opening matches this season despite playing some good basketball, most recently going down 88-82 to the Brisbane Bullets.

For Henare it was a case of deja vu, as a barnstorming third quarter gave way to a limp finish.

"It's at that stage of the season where one or two weekends can swing you either way," Henare said.

"We just need to be more consistent."

Free throws were a particular sore point for Henare following Saturday's game, with his squad draining just nine of their 19 shots at the line.

Henare felt the side's problems at the free throw line were more mental than technical.

"From a muscle memory point of view, most of these guys can do it with their eyes closed," Henare said.

"It's just that when they get into a game, there's obviously different thoughts coming in."

Power forward Akil Mitchell said the side's profligacy would be quickly rectified, as new combinations begin to gel.

"It should be one of our strengths, we've got good shooters across the board," Mitchell said.

"That's something that'll come as we get more familiar with each other, give each other better shots."

The Breakers will take on Adelaide 36ers on Saturday, braced for the impact of star guards Jerome Randle and Nathan Sobey.

The 36ers have enjoyed some solid early season form, earning wins over the Bullets and competition favourites Melbourne United to sit two spots above the Breakers in fourth.

Their defensive intensity impressed the Breakers coach, who said the side were masters in forcing simple errors and nabbing easy baskets in transition.

Henare said his side would do all it could to nullify the American import Randle, who is averaging almost 24 points a game, but not at the expense of containing other players.

Sobey and centre Daniel Johnson would also serve as major threats, while the Breakers have been blessed by import Terrance Ferguson's suspension for striking.

"You do have to do a better job on some of those role players and make sure they don't get career nights," Henare said.

via Radio Sport