The New Zealand Breakers, coached by Petteri Koponen, have had a great start to the Australian NBL basketball league.
Petteri Koponen led by the Breakers crushed Melbourne United, who are third in the series, 113–79 on Monday.
The Finnish coach was amazed by his team’s performance against a high-quality club.
Koponen reminded that the last time the team played was on Saturday, and it only had one full day to prepare for the top game and reach the opponent’s level in 48 hours.
– Melbourne is a really good basketball team and very well coached. Considering the level at which we performed tonight – I can’t find the words, Koponen sneered.
Koponen’s proteges dominated the game from start to finish and sealed their third consecutive win, which strengthened their position at the top of the league. The Breakers have won six of the eight matches they have played.
The handsome 34-point margin of victory was the club’s fifth biggest in its history, the biggest ever win over United and also the first away win over Melbourne since 2018.
The key player of the New Zealand Breakers was celebrating on the platform Sam Mennengawho threw his record 25 with over 83 percent accuracy.
Captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright accompanied with 23 points and seven assists. 17-year-old sensation Karim Lopez collected his second double-double of the season with the power of 17/10 and blocked four shots from the opponent.
The Breakers travel to Tasmania next Saturday to take on the local JackJumpers.