Patterson fires Breakers to big comeback win against Taipans

Lamar Patterson produced his best performance in a New Zealand singlet to lead the Breakers to an 85-79 win against the Cairns Taipans to leave the FNQ side’s season on a knife’s edge.

Lamar Patterson produced his best performance in a New Zealand singlet to lead the Breakers to an 85-79 win against the Cairns Taipans to leave the FNQ side’s season on a knife’s edge.

The Taipans led by as much as 12 points and looked to be coasting home before the Breakers broke out.

Point guard Tai Webster led the visitors on the stat sheet, putting up a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double with five assists.

But it was Patterson’s afternoon.

Lamar Patterson had his best outing for the Breakers in their win against Cairns. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The import burst to life in the final term, at one stage outscoring the Taipans, as he put up 22 points (53 per cent) and grabbed five rebounds as New Zealand romped to victory.

Scott Machado had 25 points, 12 assists and six rebounds and Cameron Oliver finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, but it was still not enough as the Taipans slumped to their sixth straight loss – five of which have come at home.

Both sides had injury concerns – Mirko Djeric was ruled out pre-game while Corey Webster didn’t have as much of an impact as he usually would due to a hand injury.

BATTLE AT THE POINT

The battle between Scott Machado and Tai Webster was a fascinating match-up in this clash.

Scott Machado and Tai Webster. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The experienced campaigner and runner-up MVP last season up came up against one of the best young point guards in the league – and they didn’t disappoint.

Machado’s efficiency had dropped from NBL20 to this season, but the Cairns star showed signs of a return to form with 25 points at 36 per cent, which included four of eight from long range.

Webster scored 25 points at 47 per cent, and was huge for the visitors as they led at the first break and did just enough to keep in the game.

Machado praised the 26-year-old Webster during halftime on the NBL broadcast.

“He’s good. He’s a great player, he’s going to keep involved in the game better, great point guard for them, they’re utilising him just as they need to,” Machado said.

LAMAR WATCH

Lamar Patterson. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The New Zealand import is subject to plenty of talk whenever he takes the court but Lamar Patterson may just have had his best game of the season.

Patterson dropped 13 points in the fourth quarter to keep the Breakers in the game – and helped close the gap to just one point with two minutes and 40 seconds left on the clock.

He’s copped plenty for his conditioning but there’s no denying the impact he had on this game and on this team.

When he reaches peak condition, look out.

TAIPANS’ DEPTH TESTED

The pre-match loss of Mirko Djeric exposed more of the Taipans’ bench to plenty of minutes in this clash.

Djeric was a game-time decision after suffering hamstring tightness, and when he was ruled out the Snakes lost a shooting guard in the best form of his career, and a valuable – and reliable – presence on both ends of the court.

The Taipans bench looks on. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Jordan Ngatai was elevated to the starting five, and while some offensive moves broke down early, they eventually found a rhythm.

His absence meant more minutes for the bench – with mixed results. George Blagojevic looked good, Mojave King barely troubled the statisticians, and Fabijan Krslovic put in another solid shift.

It remains to be seen if Djeric will be ready for Monday’s fixture – and Mike Kelly will surely want to have the sharpshooter at his disposal as they try to arrest this slide.

The Taipans and Breakers meet again at the Snag Pit on Monday night.

Follow @MMcInerney89

Originally published as Patterson fires Breakers to big comeback win against Taipans