Parker Jackson-Cartwright leads Breakers to big win over Cairns Taipans in Ignite Cup clash
The New Zealand Breakers began their Ignite Cup in style with a 98-75 victory against Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena on Wednesday.
The home side were completely dominant in moving to two and two in the NBL season, in the process collecting the perfect seven points possible (one point per quarter and three for the win) to immediately assert their authority in the in-season competition.
The Breakers were paced by the outstanding Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who made five from eight threes as he posted his second double-double of the season – 27 points and 10 assists – the lightning-quick point guard becoming just the fifth Breaker to bring up 600 career assists for the club.
It was far from a one-man show, however, with Sam Mennenga tallying 18 points, nine rebounds and a career-high six assists, while Mojave King was also in double figures with 14 points (four from six threes).
DJ Vasiljevic and Carlin Davison scored nine points apiece with the spring-heeled Taranaki native adding seven rebounds, three assists and three steals as he lit up the arena in the second half, effectively shutting Cairns out of the contest.
On a night when they shot 55% (34/62) from the field and a season-high 56% (15/27) from deep, the Breakers had six players make contributions from beyond the arc, with Izayah Le’afa also finding his range. At the other end of the floor, Charles Bediako was showing his value in the paint, swatting Taipans shots away for fun.
The unusually late tip-off time of 8.30pm seemed to catch the Taipans napping as the Breakers forged a 9-2 lead. A pair of triples from Jackson-Cartwright and one from Mojave King got the ball rolling for the Breakers, although the Taipans closed the differential to a single point at quarter time (19-18).
The Breakers increased their advantage in the second period to take a 42-35 lead into the locker room at halftime. Jackson-Cartwright was up to 18 points, making five from six threes in the process while Charles Bediako impressed at the defensive end with three athletic blocks and five rebounds.
King took the Breakers to a double-figure lead and making three three-pointers in quick succession the advantage was 18 points (62-46). The Taipans had the better of the closing stages of the third, although a late triple from Le’afa carried the Breakers to a 72-60 lead with a quarter to play.
A Davison alley-oop off a Jackson Cartwright pass thrilled the sizeable, enthusiastic home crowd. Davison enjoyed an outstanding fourth quarter combining eye-catching offence and impressive defence as the Breakers upped the ante to earn multiple stops – a second win of the season safely banked. The Breakers have now won 10 of their past 11 games against the Taipans.
The Breakers now prepare to travel to Adelaide tomorrow before their next game against the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday.
BNZ Breakers 98 – Jackson-Cartwright 27pts & 10asts, Mennenga 18pts, King 14pts
Cairns Taipans 75 – McVeigh 16pts, Lewis 11pts, Smith 10pts