DrinkWise game preview - Round 15: Wildcats v Breakers

The fifth-placed Wildcats have turned around their early-season road woes, winning three of their last four away games including last week’s massive victory over Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Wildcats head coach John Rillie felt the team’s youth had been vital during the tough road stretch, especially with key players missing.

David Okwera, Ben Henshall and Izan Almansa have all thrived in their recent starting-five opportunities.

“If you look at our starting five right now and the age and the youth that we have, for us to combat the road and be getting better while our young guys are getting meaningful minutes and contributing to winning, I think that helps us once we get deeper into the season,” Rillie said.

“Keanu (Pinder) is playing terrific basketball off the bench. It’s the old coaching cliche that you’ve got to be a superstar in your role. I feel we are getting positive production from everyone in what their role is at this point in time.”

The Wildcats will again be without important duo Kristian Doolittle (groin) and Tai Webster (hamstring).

Rillie said Doolittle had taken a significant step in his recovery from a groin injury, joining in on parts of team practice this week.

“He’s no chance for this weekend but there’s good signs that he can join us for certain segments of practice. That’s encouraging,” he said.

“We now have to see how he pulls up after ramping up the physical nature of getting out on the court, being out there with his teammates and banging bodies.

“He’s obviously getting close but today was the first day where he could go for a good period of time in the half-court. His body will dictate where he goes from here.”

The Breakers will be missing key personnel of their own, highlighted by star guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright who is out with suspension.

Jackson-Cartwright had 34 points and 10 assists last time the two sides met last month.

Captain Jesse Wagstaff got the job on 229cm Breakers giant Tacko Fall on that occasion and is likely to match up against him on Sunday.

“A player who is unique like him, you need to play once in person to get a real feel of how you can hopefully come up with a successful strategy to slow them down,” Rillie said.

“Jesse is experienced. He has combated a number of tough challenges throughout his career so he’ll certainly get the opportunity again.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers

When: 11.30am WST Sunday 5 January

Where: Spark Arena, Auckland

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel) and Channel 10

Opposition watch

The eighth-placed Breakers snapped an eight-game losing streak on New Year’s Eve with a big win over bottom-ranked Cairns Taipans in Far North Queensland.

Big man Tacko had his best game as a Breaker in that clash, with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Jackson-Cartwright will be a massive loss, with the likes of Fall and Matt Mooney to be important in the result of the contest.

Last time they met

Who could forget the last two these two sides met?

Four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton produced a club-record 59 points as the Wildcats destroyed the Breakers at RAC Arena.

Cotton was unstoppable in the victory, while Jackson-Cartwright battled hard for the Breakers with 34 of his own in the 123-112 result.