The New Zealand Breakers have dispatched a thunderous message of intent, consolidating top spot on the NBL ladder after mauling inept Melbourne United 113-79. Monday night's first-versus-second blockbuster at John Cain Arena was quickly turned into a shock rout by the Breakers as they belted United 25-13 and 30-18 in the opening two quarters. Centre Sam Mennenga amassed a career-high 25 points, while superstar import guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright enhanced his MVP claims with 23 points and seven assists.
Seventeen-year-old Mexican Next Star Karim Lopez, already the youngest NBL player to produce a double-double, added another to his resume with 17 points and 10 boards. Unsung NZ-born guard Flynn Cameron was the only Melbourne player to make even a remote impression, scoring 20 points off the bench. The win was the Breakers' first at the venue since 2018 and they achieved it by shooting a sparkling 66 per cent from the field and 57 per cent from three-point range, while obliterating United on the glass 46-25.
"It's just an amazing group of guys," said Breakers coach Petteri Kopone, whose red-hot team is still missing Mitch McCarron, Mojave King and Max Darling. "We played Saturday (beating Adelaide in Auckland), we had one day to prepare and we travelled here. "Just amazing .
.. no words.
"I told them it was just beautiful to watch from the sideline today." With Jackson-Cartwight proving too quick to guard, and Mennenga super-efficient inside and outside, NZ were off to the ra.