PJC masterclass helps Breakers dominate Taipans

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Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) continues to play his way into greatness at the New Zealand Breakers after moving into fifth all-time in the franchise's assist list in his team's dominant 98-75 win at Spark Arena to tip-off the Ignite Cup.

Jackson-Cartwright's 27-point and 10-rebound double-double helped the Breakers overcome an improved Cairns team early in the game to put on a clinic in the final three quarters as Gordon Herbert's side bounced back from consecutive losses to the Brisbane Bullets and Perth Wildcats.

That response was what pleased the star point guard the most.

"I think just how our team responded (is what impressed me most)," Jackson-Cartwright said in the post-game press conference.

"We came out tonight with a certain focus and a sense of urgency that allowed us to be in this game and play really well.

"I think at times our offence got a little stagnant but our defence held up and in the second half, we moved (the ball) really well and different guys stepped up so it was good to see."

Jackson-Cartwright agreed the game was a "gut-check" moment for the Breakers.

"We came out tonight with the right intensity and you have t have that coming into every game," he said.

"There's no gimmies in this league and just our focus and consistency is going to be a big thing for us."

He also responded to Herbert's comments from their last loss, saying Jackson-Cartwright had to do everything.

"I think part of it is me being more balanced as well, knowing when I have opportunities to move it, get off of it and see other advantages so my teammates can get involved."

Herbert echoed his leader's comments post-game, saying his team still had a lot of room for improvement on the offensive end.

"I think like Parker said we struggled a little bit offensively tonight, especially the first half, I think Parker was really huge for us in that first half being able to score the basketball because we were a little bit stagnant," he said.

"Second half we got a little bit better flow to the game and got the ball moving."

It's the perfect start for the Breakers, who are looking to defend their Ignite Cup title from last season.

Taipans coach Adam Forde said his team weren't "in a good spot at the moment" following a 1-3 start, including several heavy losses to Sydney, Adelaide and New Zealand.

"The big thing is it's all on the mental side and I'll wear that," he said.

"We knew this stretch was going to be a tough part of the schedule and it doesn't get any easier in a couple of days but there's no game that's going to be easy.

"This was a moment to really build some resilience and we don't have that."

Pressure is growing on Forde and the Taipans with a roster expected to improve on a disappointing NBL26 despite the early injuries to star recruits Jaylin Galloway ($196,400) and NBL Next Star Luke Paul ($115,000).

New Zealand Breakers bullets

• Parker Jackson-Cartwright ($405,200) top-scored with 27 points and 10 assists on 10-from-18, including 5-from-8 from three. (plain, price only)
• Sam Mennenga ($303,100) added 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 5-from-8, and went 8-from-11 at the line.
• Mojave King ($189,100) scored 14 off the bench on 5-from-9, including 4-from-6 from three.
• Carlin Davison ($121,600) did not miss off the bench, scoring nine on 4-from-4 with seven rebounds and three steals.
• Dejan Vasiljevic ($144,000) had nine points on 2-from-5, both makes from three, and went 3-from-4 at the line.
• Reuben Te Rangi ($97,100) scored seven on 3-from-4 with two assists.
• Charles Bediako ($277,000) blocked four shots and added six points and five rebounds on 2-from-3.

Cairns Taipans bullets

• Jack McVeigh ($349,800) top-scored with 16 points on 7-from-21, including 1-from-11 from three. (plain, price only)
• Malique Lewis ($207,900) added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists on 4-from-8.
• Reyne Smith ($156,300) scored 10 on 4-from-9, including 2-from-7 from three, in 14:36 as a starter.
• Jaylon Brown ($277,000) had nine points on 2-from-9 and went 5-from-7 at the line.
• Keanu Pinder ($300,000) led Cairns with seven rebounds and four steals, and scored six on 2-from-9.
• Jonah Bolden ($133,600) scored six on 3-from-5 off the bench with five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
• Shaun Bruce ($76,500) scored five on 2-from-4 off the bench with two assists.

Ignite Cup Points Rules

• 3 points for winning the game
• 1 point for winning each quarter
• 0.5 points each for a tied quarter
• Most a winner can get: 7 (4 quarters + the win).
• Most a loser can get: 3 (by winning three quarters)
• ‍Overtime: no extra points apart from the 3 for the win

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