DrinkWise game preview - Round 10: Wildcats v Breakers

The Wildcats kicked off their first home double-header of the season with a resounding win over a undermanned Bullets on Friday night.

The third-placed Breakers, led by MVP candidate Parker Jackson-Cartwright, will be tough assignment.

Wildcats coach John Rillie wants to use the team’s run of home games to build momentum ahead of a long strength on the road.

“What I’m hoping for is this stretch allows us to get a little bit of momentum and rhythm with our group,” Rillie said.

“Leading into the FIBA window we’d play at home and take care of business, but then we went on the road and that wasn’t to our liking there.

“We have to find and rhythm and a balance with our team now so hopefully a few games at home with allow us to do that.”

The Wildcats will have a full bill of health, other than speedy guard Tai Webster who will miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury.

With two games in three days and a healthy lead over the Bullets, Rillie was able to rest some of his biggest stars and get every available player on the court.

Rillie hoped that would be beneficial come Sunday, especially with Izan Almansa (Spain), Hyrum Harris (New Zealand) and Ben Henshall (Australia) only recently returning from international duties during the FIBA break and superstar Bryce Cotton in his third game back from a rib issue.

“I would hope so but the part for us is Bryce Cotton is coming back from injury so it was good to get him good minutes without him having to push through until he gets to his elite best,” Rillie said.

“But then also we’ve had three guys travelling pretty extensively with their national teams, Izan had to travel all the way back to Spain which isn’t close last time I checked on a map.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers

When: 1.30pm WST Sunday 1 December

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel

Get your tickets here

Opposition watch

The Breakers currently sit in third spot on the ladder with a 7-4 record.

There’s been a bit of change with the team’s roster with ex-NBA giant Tacko Fall, the tallest ever player in the NBL, replacing Freddie Gillespie.

New Zealand have an even 3-3 record on the road this season but are coming off a 109-71 loss to Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre to start Round 10.

Speedster Jackson-Cartwright scored a team-high 19 points in that game and is leading the league in assists for NBL25.

Jonah Bolden is still sidelined with a calf injury.

Last time they met

It was a tough day at the office last time the Wildcats faced the Breaker back on October 19.

Bryce Cotton went down in the opening minute of the loss with a rib injury and missed the next month.

Matt Mooney and Max Darling combined for 11 three-pointers for the Breakers.

Tai Webster was the Wildcats’ best offensively with 20 points, while Kristian Doolittle posted a double-double.

The Wildcats rallied late before New Zealand steadied to prevail 89-95 at Auckland’s Spark Arena.