Did someone ask for a special delivery? With 24 points at 84.6 percent, 4 rebounds and a "mailman" delivery, Eric Griffin delivered for the Sixers - Photo by 7 News and connected media outlets
THE WRAP Q BY Q
The Kiwis jumped out to a 7-2 run before RJ Hampton picked up two quick fouls causing early foul trouble for the Breakers. Eric Griffin hit the scoreboard early off the pine with a few buckets then Webster hit a second triple off an awful switch call before he stuck another. We then saw one of the highlights of the night as Griffin dropped the “Mailman” on the Breakers. Webster launched another bomb from deeper than distance between Auckland and Christchurch with even bench player Jordan Ngatai was catching fire before Kevin White hit a tough floater from the baseline. The high scoring contest had the Sixers shooting the rock at 84.6 percent from the field leading 29-28 after one.
Griffin dropped a triple to open the second sparking an instant timeout from “Director of Coaching” Dan Shamir with Randle after the short interval dropped a dime before Webster going for a contested layup landed awkwardly on his ankle ruling him out of the remainder of the contest. Griffin then was fouled for a four point play drilling it in front of the Sixers bench. Randle then put Ngatai in the “Corbin Wroe Handle by Randle” clinic to open up a double digit lead. Dan Dillon found Anthony Drmic on a beautiful curl cut and another time-out was burnt by Shamir. A couple of buckets to Sek Henry and Hampton put the Breakers on a 6-0 run with time-out to Wright despite holding their double digit lead. Drmic then dropped another bomb before the Sixers forced a half court turnover, Griffin with 20 points and one miss only to halftime leading the Sixers to a commanding 60-43 lead at the half. The Sixers shooting a staggering 67 percent from the field.
Henry opened the third appropriately with a triple, then Hampton then Drmic over an outstretched Tom Abercrombie hand. DJ then rolled an and1 on the baseline, then dropped a triple before Drmic found Harry Froling for an open lay in. Finn “Diesel” Delaney dropped a triple before Griffin finally tied his season high then topped it as the Sixers led by a mammoth 21 points 90-67, the highest three quarter time score by any team in the Hungry Jack’s NBL20 Season to date.
Speaking of HJs it was provided by Henry at the stripe then Ramone Moore relishing revitalised minutes spun Henry inside out and finished with a two handed flush. The Sixers bench party began early as Alex Mudronja entered for his first NBL game helping McVeigh feed Moore to bring up the century. Obi Kyei threw down a one handed lightsaber dunk before BJ Johnson and debutant Michael Harris from the SA Premier League club Forestville Eagles took the floor. Mudronja scored his first NBL points with a left handed dribble contested layup, Harris then registered his first points from the charity stripe before a foul block which looked clean. Hampton then gave Harris the difference in pace between where he might be going with a blow by layup. Mudronja then finished a reverse layup then another one to finish with a sneaky 9 points on debut as the Sixers with Kyei dunk finished a comprehensive performance at home 117-100. The highest individual score by any team in Hungry Jack’s NBL20.
COACH SPEAK (Written from NBL Website)
Sixers coach Joey Wright was delighted with the start his side made and praised the game of Griffin especially. “Yeah I thought we did a pretty good job offensively, we played to our strengths and we chose the right shots at the right time,” Wright said. “Griffin was exceptional, defensively he was really good and I was really happy with his game and he has responded well the last couple of games.”
Breakers coach Dan Shamir was bitterly disappointed with his team’s performance for a fifth straight defeat, especially to concede 117 points even though the loss of Webster obviously stung. “We definitely expect to defend better and we must get better at this. Adelaide is a good team who like to score on transition but when you give away 30 points in every quarter that doesn’t give you much of a chance to win,” Shamir said. “I think he (Webster) is in hospital at the moment getting his ankle examined and we will wait for the results. I don’t like to focus on one thing but losing Corey and a few injuries to our players this year has been costly and it is one of the main factors for where we are on the ladder at the moment.”
DO THE STATS LIE?
The Sixers dropped no less than 27 points per quarter despite no player playing more than 22 minutes in complete dominance. The Sixers had a season high 62 bench points with eight players registering 7 points or more and the team shot the rock at 63.4 percent. Alex Mudronja scored the highest amount of points on debut as a Sixers rookie since by my recollection (bit hard to find at short notice) Tom Daly against the Sydney Kings about four-five seasons ago.
The loss of Webster to a rolled ankle was the most telling statistic during the game as it stagnated the Breakers offence. After Webster’s 14 first quarter points, the Breakers were only able to string together another 41 points in two quarters without him but did finish with 31 in the final quarter when the game opened up a little. The Breakers inside presence was a struggle with only 36 points in the paint, conceding 64 points and shot a not great clip from the stripe of 63.3 percent in a tough night for Aotearoa.
WHATS NEXT FOR THE SIXERS
Imagine if we got that Bullets game result Friday night away from home??? The Sixers are on the cusp of the top four now and with a road double against two of the top three, it’s kind of a no lose situation right now. With the Wildcats at the Jungle and United at the Arena, the experts will have already tipped Sixers to drop both and that’s the way when we travel we like it. Please underestimate the Sixers at your own peril on the road, but if the Sixers can overcome the “influences” (interpret that as you will) and at least split 1-1, then out home run against the Phoenix and Hawks sets us up for a legit shot at being in the race for the final four. Last week the City of Churches looked like we’d be running around the wilderness for 40 NBL days and nights, now it seems we are being led to the promise land thanks to a few players taking a humbling backward step and that had the most profound impact on the team. The only thing missing in the trip to Melbourne next weekend is seeing some Giants, but we all know in the original story not everyone did 😉
ADELAIDE 36ERS 117 (GRIFFIN 24, D JOHNSON 17, DRMIC 15, RANDLE 14, MOORE 12 FROLING, MUDRONJA 9) DEFEATED NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 100 (HENRY 18, HAMPTON 15, WEBSTER 14, ASHLEY 13, DELANEY 11)
*This article is a duplicate of an article written for publishing for And The Foul.net and may appear before or after publishing
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 