Montrezl's 26-point birthday bash breaks NZ

• Adelaide 36ers in red-hot push for 6th on the NBL Ladder
• New Zealand Breakers season is over, will miss the playoffs
• Montrezl Harrell (26 points) and Kendric Davis (13 assists) lead Adelaide

Adelaide 36ers sent a clear message to the rest of the NBL, dismantling the New Zealand Breakers 94-78 (Game Centre) on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre — when they're healthy and cookin' ... watch out.

The 36ers, riding high on recent road successes, exploded out of the gates to build a commanding 28-point lead early in the third quarter, leaving the Breakers scrambling to keep pace.

The match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with Adelaide's early onslaught setting the tone. Fresh off impressive victories against Cairns and Sydney, the 36ers channelled their momentum into a blistering first-half performance.

They outscored the Breakers 57-35 in the opening two quarters, shooting a scorching 61% from the field.

The home crowd was treated to a masterclass in offensive efficiency, as Adelaide's fluid ball movement and sharp shooting left New Zealand's defence in disarray.

However, the Breakers showed admirable resilience in the second half, refusing to go down without a fight. Despite the absence of key playmaker Parker Jackson-Cartwright, lost to injury in their previous match, New Zealand clawed back with a 12-0 run early in the third quarter.

This brief resurgence injected some tension into the proceedings, narrowing the gap to 16 points and forcing Adelaide coach Mike Wells to call a strategic timeout.

The 36ers' response to this challenge was emphatic, reasserting their control to maintain a 21-point buffer at the final break. While the Breakers continued to battle, outscoring Adelaide 38-26 in the second half, the deficit proved insurmountable. The home side's earlier dominance had simply been too comprehensive to overcome.

Statistically, the match highlighted Adelaide's superiority in several key areas. Despite securing only three offensive rebounds, the 36ers capitalised on New Zealand's mistakes, scoring 18 points from turnovers and adding 21 fast break points.

Their shooting efficiency was noteworthy, hitting 51% from the field, including 8 of 20 from beyond the arc, and a solid 18 of 22 from the free-throw line. In stark contrast, the Breakers struggled with ball security, committing 17 turnovers, and their poor free-throw shooting (3 of 10) further hampered their comeback efforts.

The individual standout for Adelaide was undoubtedly Montrezl Harrell. The former NBA big man continued his impressive form, pouring in 26 points while adding eight rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. His physicality and energy were pivotal in setting the tone for Adelaide's aggressive start.

Equally impressive was Kendric Davis, who orchestrated the offence with aplomb, dishing out a season-high 13 assists to complement his 23 points.

For the Breakers, Mojave King provided a silver lining with a season-best 20 points, including 5 of 8 from three-point range. However, his efforts were not enough to offset the team's overall struggles. Matt Mooney's performance encapsulated New Zealand's night - flashes of brilliance with 14 points and 9 assists, marred by 8 turnovers and an eventual fouling out.

Looking ahead, this victory solidifies Adelaide's hold on the sixth spot with a 13-13 record and three games remaining in their regular season campaign. Their next challenge comes on Friday night when they host the struggling Brisbane Bullets. For New Zealand, the road doesn't get any easier as they return home to face the Cairns Taipans on Saturday at Spark Arena.

As the NBL season enters its final stretch, Adelaide's performance serves as a warning shot to the league. If they can maintain this level of play, they could be a formidable force in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Breakers will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season, with the loss of Jackson-Cartwright potentially looming large over their remaining fixtures.