"We will keep fighting": Breakers remain Finals focused

New Zealand’s hopes of securing a spot in the post-season took a big hit during Sunday’s loss to fellow Finals hopeful Tasmania.

In what was essentially a ‘double-points game’, the Breakers now find themselves two wins behind sixth-placed Tasmania with just three rounds remaining of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season.

But coach Petteri Koponen said as long as there is still a mathematical chance they can make the post-season, his team will continue to fight.

“This is a disappointing result, but as long as there is still hope this season, we will keep fighting, and we've also got the Ignite Cup final to look forward to,” Koponen said in Sunday’s post-game press conference.

“We will keep fighting, and as long as there's still a chance for us, we'll believe, and we'll just focus on trying to win our next game.”

That next game is on Thursday when they welcome the red-hot South East Melbourne Phoenix to Spark Arena.

Koponen outlined his injury-ravaged side would likely lean more heavily on their three-guard lineup, due to the strong play of Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Tai Webster and Izaiah Brockington.

“We might look to play Tai and Parker a bit more together and along with Brock [moving forward]. That three-guard lineup was what worked best for us in this game, so we might do more of it,” Koponen said.

“[A big part of that is the play of] Brock, who has been getting better all season. He has been shooting the ball much better lately and really kept us in it [against Tasmania].”

Thursday’s Round 20 fixture tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.