The NZ Breakers will return Down Under this weekend after a third straight loss to an NBA opponent.
Similar to their game with the Utah Jazz last week, the Breakers went basket-for-basket with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half before eventually falling 117-89 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday night (Friday NZ Time).
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A spirited opening 24 minutes saw the Breakers and Thunder go into the half tied 60-60, but the Thunder's depth and physicality took over in the second half.
Matt Mooney led the charge early, hitting five three-pointers on his way to a team-high 19 points (6/14 FG, 5/9 3pt), along with seven rebounds and three assists.
Mooney’s accuracy from beyond the arc (55.6 percent) kept the Breakers in contention, while fellow American Parker Jackson-Cartwright orchestrated the offence with eight assists to go with 16 points (6/11 FG, 3/3 FT).
The Breakers' ability to hit from long-range was a key feature of their first-half effort, with Mojave King also contributing from deep, hitting five triples as part of his 16 points (5/10 FG, 5/9 3pt) and five boards.
Mexcian 'Next Star' Karim Lopez, former NBA centre Jonah Bolden, short-term signing Tacko Fall and Australian Dane Pineau did not suit up for the Breakers.
Oklahoma City turned up the heat in the second half, led by Dillon Jones (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Adam Flagler (25 points (9/17 FG, 5/10 3pt).
The Thunder's superior inside presence, particularly through former Breaker Ousmane Dieng (20 points, 10 rebounds), caused problems and the visitors were unable to maintain their momentum.
The Breakers now travel to Brisbane to prepare for their third game of the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) season on Thursday against the Bullets. Then it's home to Auckland to host the Perth Wildcats at Spark Arena next Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm).
Oklahoma City Thunder 117 (Adam Flagler 25, Dillon Jones 23, Ousmane Dieng 20, Alex Ducas 15, Malevy Leons 14, Cormac Ryan 12) NZ Breakers 89 (Matt Mooney 19, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 16, Mojave King 16). 1Q: 34-36, HT: 60-60, 3Q: 84-76