NZ Breakers' homecoming tour is off to the perfect start, after they defeated Sydney Kings 89-81 in their first real home game of the season at Waitakere's Trusts Arena.
With an ANBL playoff spot out of reach, the Auckland-based side relished the chance to play on home court for the first time in 462 days, in front of a sellout crowd of 3800 fans.
After an even first quarter that saw the two sides locked at 26-26, the Breakers began to pull away from the Kings and dominated the second quarter to lead 51-36 at halftime.
From there, the Breakers didn't relent, leading by as many as 21 points and taking a 74-54 advantage into the final spell.
Sydney showed their class in the last quarter, closing to within five down the stretch, but the damage was done, as the Breakers notched their 10th win of the season to remain eighth on the ANBL ladder, three wins off the seventh-placed Adelaide 36ers.
Finn Delany led the way for the Kiwi outfit, laying on a double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds, as well as four assists and two steals.
Returning to fitness, American Levi Randolph also aided the Breakers cause with 13 points and nine assists. William McDowell-White had 12 points of his own, along with seven assists, as brothers Corey and Tai Webster contributed 11 points each.
For Sydney, American Casper Ware was the best on show with 20 points, backed up by fellow import Jarrell Martin's 18 and Xavier Cooks' 15.
"It was really good to play in front of the home crowd," Delany says. "There was a much different feel and energy to the game, so that's definitely what did it for us.
"It's a lot better feeling than losing. Losing games isn't a good feeling.
"It definitely feels good to get the win and we have to go back it up now for sure."
The two sides meet again on Saturday night in New Plymouth.
