DrinkWise Preview: NBL23 - Round 17 v New Zealand Breakers

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United will continue the fight for their playoff lives on Saturday when the side travels to Auckland for a matchup with the New Zealand Breakers as part of Champion Pride Round.

United are the in-form team in the competition right now, riding a five-game winning streak into the must-win clash.

New Zealand have also looked strong of late, bouncing back from a four-game skid with a pair of victories over Sydney and Brisbane.

Melbourne will be hoping for a repeat of their previous meeting, in which MU restricted the Breakers to a season-low 65 points in a 12-point victory in Christchurch, while extending their winning streak over New Zealand to 10-games.

PLAYER TO WATCH

After missing United’s past three games due to a knee injury, Isaac Humphries will make his return to the lineup on Saturday.

Excluding the game against Tasmania in which he got injured, Humphries has been at his rim-protecting best, averaging two blocks per game and deterring anyone from challenging the big-man at the hoop.

Coming up against the formidable front-line of the Breakers, Humpries will hope to make an instant impact while taking pressure off Marcus Lee.

KEY MATCHUP

It will be a battle of two of the league’s most impressive scoring guards when Xavier Rathan-Mayes faces off with the returning Barry Brown Jr.

XRM has thrived in his past three games, averaging 20 points per night while cashing in on 55% of his three-point looks.

With Shea Ili out, he will have to contend with Barry Brown Jr, who scored 14 points in 15 minutes in his return from injury on Thursday night.

The last time the pair squared off, it was an epic showdown, with XRM (33 points, nine assists) taking home the victory in round one despite a strong showing from Brown Jr (23 points, five assists).

All eyes will be firmly locked on the pair when they meet again on Saturday.

THE OTHER GUYS

As mentioned earlier, the Breakers draw a lot of strength from their stout front line of Derek Pardon, Jarrell Brantley and Rob Lowe.

The trio have been great all season, and are coming off an impressive showing where they combined for 45 points and 15 rebounds.

On the perimeter, New Zealand have surrounded Brown Jr with strong complementary pieces like Will McDowell-White and Izayah Le’afa, who can find the talented American or produce for themselves.

Rayan Rupert remains a huge X-factor for the Breakers, as his length and athleticism can allow him to stifle opposing wings.

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GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs New Zealand Breakers

Tip off: 5:30pm (AEDT), Saturday 28 January, 2023

Where: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

Watch: ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel