Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers NBL25 Game Preview

Jan 25

2 min read

Tip-off is at 4:30 PM AEDT, Sunday, January 26 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Adelaide 36ers vs New Zealand Breakers NBL25 Expert Analysis

The Adelaide 36ers take on the New Zealand Breakers in what shapes up to be a high-scoring affair.

With a play-in position on the line, Adelaide will look to continue their recent momentum after a strong win over the Sydney Kings. The Breakers, on the other hand, are out of postseason contention and will play for pride after a disappointing stretch of six losses in their past seven games.

Adelaide’s sharpshooting and strong starting five make them the favourites, while New Zealand’s struggles on the offensive end further tilt the odds.

Late Mail: Breakers' Parker Jackson-Cartwright is out with a rib injury.

Key Matchups

Dejan Vasiljevic (36ers) vs. Breakers Perimeter Defence

Vasiljevic has been red-hot from beyond the arc, sinking 17 threes in his past three games. Against a Breakers defence that ranks eighth in opponent three-point percentage, he’ll look to exploit their perimeter weaknesses for another big scoring night.

Montrezl Harrell & Isaac Humphries (36ers) vs. Breakers Frontcourt

The 36ers’ big men dominated the paint in their win over Sydney, combining for 42 points and 20 rebounds. New Zealand’s interior defence will face a tough task keeping these two in check.

Key Stats

4 of the past 5 games between Adelaide and New Zealand have gone over the game total.
Adelaide ranks 3rd in the NBL in three-point shooting at 36.5%.
The Breakers rank 8th in opponent three-point percentage (35.9%) and are last in three-point shooting themselves (32.1%).
Dejan Vasiljevic has made 17 three-pointers in his last three matches.

Why Adelaide 36ers Win

Adelaide’s starting five is among the best in the NBL, with players like Kendric Davis, Montrezl Harrell, and Dejan Vasiljevic firing on all cylinders. Their ability to score from beyond the arc and dominate the paint gives them multiple avenues to attack the Breakers’ defence. The 36ers’ perimeter shooting, combined with the Breakers’ struggles to defend and score from deep, makes Adelaide a tough team to beat in this matchup.

Why New Zealand Breakers Win

The Breakers will need their defence, ranked fourth in the league in points against, to carry them in this contest. If they can force turnovers and disrupt Adelaide’s rhythm, they have a chance to keep things close. New Zealand’s bigs, led by Sam Mennenga and Tacko Fall, will need to step up against Adelaide’s dominant frontcourt to give their side a fighting chance.

Conclusion

The Adelaide 36ers are in prime position to secure another crucial win as they push for a play-in spot. With Dejan Vasiljevic in lethal form from beyond the arc and their big men controlling the paint, the 36ers have the edge against a Breakers side struggling on offence. Expect a high-scoring game with Adelaide pulling away late to keep the pressure on their postseason rivals.