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Tip-off: Thursday, February 2, 7.30pm (local), North Shore Events Centre, Auckland

TV/Radio: SKY Sports, 7.30pm (New Zealand)/Radio Sport

Last time they met: Perth 86 (Wagstaff 23, Lisch 18, Martin 11) d New Zealand 62 (Jackson 15, Abercrombie 14, Vukona 13), Round 12, 2011/12, Challenge Stadium, Perth

Upper hand
The Wildcats can go a long way to securing first place with a season series-clinching win in Auckland.

Perth won by 24 points at home in Round 12, but last season demolished the Breakers by 40 at Challenge Stadium only to fall twice on the North Shore.

The teams’ semi-final match-up was a classic, with both teams pinching away wins before the Kiwis claimed the third game in emphatic style.

Guards CJ Bruton and Kevin Lisch have watched this rivalry grow into one of the league’s best, and they chat about the keys to Thursday’s match-up.

What do you want to take away from your opponents’ game?

CJ Bruton: They love to get up-and-in and force you into a lot of turnovers. They like to get up-and-down because they are one of the best conditioned teams in the competition, they pride themselves on that. We can’t let them force the amount of turnovers they usually do.

Kevin Lisch: It’s important for us to win the possession game, not let them get offensive rebounds – Mika Vukona is one of the best in the league at that. Keeping guys like him, Wilkinson and Abercrombie from getting cheap baskets is important.

What can’t you afford to let them take away?

KL: We can’t let them get us outside our offensive system with their fullcourt pressure.

CB: You have to attack when they commit a turnover or other opportunities present, but you still have to execute. You can’t just get in a foot race.

Is size or speed more important with the versatile frontlines both teams have?

CB: The league over the last five years has gone to more small-ball, but seven footers still dominate. When you have guys as mobile as the bigs are in our competition, they can stay in front of guards and change their shots, and at the other end of the floor dominate around the glass … that’s what Luke Nevill and Alex Pledger have been doing.

KL: I think both teams have a good combination of both, so you need to use both in the right way. Luke is playing amazing right now, along with Matty (Knight) and the versatility of Shawn (Redhage) and Jesse (Wagstaff), it makes for a fun match-up with Pledger, Wilkinson and Vukona. That’s a tough question, I don’t really know. I’ll tell you on Friday!

What about the Damian Martin v Cedric Jackson match-up?

KL: Damo, Robbo (Brad Robbins) and Jackson are three of the best defenders in the league. Jackson’s the engine that makes them go, he scores, gets rebounds and assists, it’ll be fun to watch that match-up.

CB: Both guys are very crafty in what they do, both have a solid knowledge of the game. I think Cedric’s pretty excited, he hasn’t had back-to-back bad games. He has long arms and gets his hands on a lot of balls. Damian Martin is the same, he’ll turn you in the backcourt, but we don’t have many Australian players who can handle the ball like Cedric.

And the CJ Bruton v Kevin Lisch match-up?

KL: I have a lot of respect for CJ and the way he plays and goes about his business. The bottom line is he just gets the job done, whether he is starting or coming off the bench it doesn’t matter, and he thrives in those big situations.

CB: Kevin’s been great, he was something our league needed. The professionalism he brings, the way he approaches practice every day, the way he plays the game. Having said that, I am happy to kick his backside on the floor!

KL: The feeling’s mutual.

The wrap
The Breakers and Wildcats play with a remarkable combination of speed, intensity and physicality while executing their skills at a high level.

Both teams play similar styles, so execution, shooting, poise and hustle will most likely be the determining factors.

Prediction: Breakers by 1