Basketball: NZ Breakers philosophical after blown timeout costs winning shot against Melbourne United

American forward Zylan Cheatham's unfortunate brain explosion has cost NZ Breakers a chance at toppling Australian NBL leaders Melbourne United, as the home side fell in 82-81 thriller at New Plymouth.

With the scores tied and two seconds left on the clock, Melbourne guard Matthew Dellavadova was fouled and sent to the free-throw line for two go-ahead shots. The former NBA champion sank the first to put his team up, but deliberately missed the second to limit the Breakers' ability to set up a response.

Cheatham grabbed the rebound, but instead of launching a midcourt prayer, he tried to call timeout. In the American NBA, that would be a legitimate option, but in the Aussie competition, only coaches can call timeouts, and the clock expired before the Breakers could attempt a possible gamewinner.

While miffed at the way

Melbourne United 82 (Goulding 24, Dellavedova 14, Travers 13, Hukporti 12) NZ Breakers 81 (Lamb 22, Jackson-Cartwright 21, Mathiang 13, Rubtavicius & Cheatham 11)

More to come

American forward Zylan Cheatham's unfortunate brain explosion has cost NZ Breakers a chance at toppling Australian NBL leaders Melbourne United, as the home side fell in 82-81 thriller at New Plymouth.

With the scores tied and two seconds left on the clock, Melbourne guard Matthew Dellavadova was fouled and sent to the free-throw line for two go-ahead shots. The former NBA champion sank the first to put his team up, but deliberately missed the second to limit the Breakers' ability to set up a response.

Cheatham grabbed the rebound, but instead of launching a midcourt prayer, he tried to call timeout. In the American NBA, that would be a legitimate option, but in the Aussie competition, only coaches can call timeouts, and the clock expired before the Breakers could attempt a possible gamewinner.

While miffed at the way

Melbourne United 82 (Goulding 24, Dellavedova 14, Travers 13, Hukporti 12) NZ Breakers 81 (Lamb 22, Jackson-Cartwright 21, Mathiang 13, Rubtavicius & Cheatham 11)

More to come

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