‘They have their number’: Gliddon supports Breakers

Friday’s Boxing Day blockbuster at MyState Bank Arena pits two teams in very different guises.

Hosts Tasmania have won four of their last six matches, including victory in Tuesday’s outdoor match against Melbourne United.

The Breakers, meanwhile, enter this matchday 14 match on a three-game losing streak, including losing both final round games against Cairns and Brisbane.

Despite this, NBL veteran Cam Gliddon supports the Breakers’ chances, believing they “have JackJumpers number”.

“[This is] the Jackies team of old, stingy in defense and very altruistic in attack, which [is a proven recipe] to achieve that,” Gliddon said via Friday’s episode of NBL Now.

“I know the Jackies are playing really well right now and had one of their best games of the year. [against United]but New Zealand seems to have the wood at the moment.

“I saw the Breakers beat Tasmania convincingly every time at Spark Arena, [primarily] because of their contradictory style. »

A big factor in determining who wins this matchup will be the battle of the bigs between Will Magnay and Sam Mennenga.

But Gliddon believes one of the Breakers’ rising stars is emerging as the key to Petteri Koponen’s side.

“The best game New Zealand played this year was Karim Lopez [is playing well]” said Gliddon.

“It’s difficult to put that kind of weight on the shoulders of such a young kid, but if he can avoid fouls, we’ve seen the different ways he can impact the game.

“Especially when he makes some of those flex plays where he keeps the defense honest, with his ability to score and be a threat in multiple ways.”

Friday’s Boxing Day match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. AEDT, live on ESPN.