The key to Breakers' playoff push

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Derek Rucker has labelled a return to form for import big Zylan Cheatham as the key for New Zealand's Finals push.

The New Zealand Breakers looked all but dead and buried a few weeks ago, but a drastic turnaround in fitness and form has seen Derek Rucker label last season’s Championship Series contenders as a potential top four side, come the end of the regular season.

The Breakers have welcomed Zylan Cheatham and Will McDowell-White back into their ranks in recent games – however Finn Delany is currently nursing a calf injury – and have won their last three games to surge back into post-season contention.

Heading into Monday night's game against Tasmania, no team in the competition is currently on a longer winning run.

Rucker has identified the return to form of Zylan Cheatham as a key component in any Breakers playoff push.

Cheatham made his return to the court from a foot injury in New Zealand’s last game, and ended the clash with 11 points and two rebounds.

“I’m really expecting Zylan Cheatham to give a better performance also. He was able to get some minutes into his legs in the game up against Brisbane,” Rucker said.

“We know what Mody Maor thinks of Zylan Cheatham ... if that guy gets it going with their local talent, there are a lot of analysts who think they can make a push for the top four, even from where they are right now.

“Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Anthony Lamb have been very good. They’re two of the top ten imports in the league ... they can beat you in a lot of different ways.

“They have a three-pronged point guard attack with Izayah Le’Afa, PJC and Will McDowell-White, who I think gained a lot of confidence the other night.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome back Zylan Cheatham ?<br><br>Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo | Sky Sport 2 in NZ ? <a href="https://t.co/XtECqtHtXQ">pic.twitter.com/XtECqtHtXQ</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1739954038236496197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“This game is super exciting.”

New Zealand has currently played fewer games than any team in the top six, and a win over Tasmania will move them into the Play-In positions on win percentage.

The Breakers and JackJumpers clash at 4pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo | Sky Sport in NZ.