Basketball: NZ Breakers' winning streak ends as Perth Wildcats claim high-scoring thriller

NZ Breakers' winning streak has been ended in emphatic fashion, as Perth Wildcats took a dominant 108-102 victory at Spark Arena.  

With four straight wins heading into Sunday's encounter, Mody Maor's side were unable to make it five in succession, and fell to their 10th loss of the season at a time when their playoff hopes had been given a huge boost.  

After storming out to a 35-24 lead after the first quarter, the Breakers were comprehensively outplayed in the next two – notably going down 34-19 in the third – and never recovered.  

Bryce Cotton led the way for Perth, shooting a game-high 31 points, while former Breaker Tai Webster also gave his former side a reminder of his quality with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Keanu Pinder also had 18 points, as six Wildcats scored in double figures.   

Imports Anthony Lamb (27 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and Zylan Cheatham (25 rebounds, six assists) stood tall for the Breakers, but lacked the same support, with only Parker Jackson-Cartwright (11 points) joining them with more than nine.  

Defeat sees the Breakers fall from fifth to sixth on the ANBL ladder, courtesy of South East Melbourne Phoenix's superior win percentage – 45 compared to 44.44.  

Maor's men will have close to a week to learn the lessons from Sunday's loss, before they return to the court to face Melbourne United on Friday night. 

NZ Breakers' winning streak has been ended in emphatic fashion, as Perth Wildcats took a dominant 108-102 victory at Spark Arena.  

With four straight wins heading into Sunday's encounter, Mody Maor's side were unable to make it five in succession, and fell to their 10th loss of the season at a time when their playoff hopes had been given a huge boost.  

After storming out to a 35-24 lead after the first quarter, the Breakers were comprehensively outplayed in the next two – notably going down 34-19 in the third – and never recovered.  

Bryce Cotton led the way for Perth, shooting a game-high 31 points, while former Breaker Tai Webster also gave his former side a reminder of his quality with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Keanu Pinder also had 18 points, as six Wildcats scored in double figures.   

Imports Anthony Lamb (27 points, eight rebounds, six assists) and Zylan Cheatham (25 rebounds, six assists) stood tall for the Breakers, but lacked the same support, with only Parker Jackson-Cartwright (11 points) joining them with more than nine.  

Defeat sees the Breakers fall from fifth to sixth on the ANBL ladder, courtesy of South East Melbourne Phoenix's superior win percentage – 45 compared to 44.44.  

Maor's men will have close to a week to learn the lessons from Sunday's loss, before they return to the court to face Melbourne United on Friday night. 

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