Melbourne United Aims for Eighth Road Win Against Struggling NZ Breakers

NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand — Melbourne United is set to face the New Zealand Breakers on Monday, January 13, 2025, at TSB Stadium in New Plymouth, aiming to secure their eighth road win of the season. Fresh off a narrow 90-88 victory over the Sydney Kings on Thursday, Melbourne United looks to continue their strong defensive performance, which has been key to their success this season.

The Breakers, coming off a 100-108 loss to the Illawarra Hawks, are struggling with only eight wins from 22 games, placing them second to last in the National Basketball League (NBL) standings. In contrast, Melbourne United holds a strong second place with 14 wins from 23 matches.

In their last encounter in December, Melbourne United dominated the Breakers with a 97-70 victory. This upcoming game is crucial for both teams as they aim to improve their standings with only four rounds remaining in the season.

Melbourne United’s defensive strategy has been particularly effective, holding teams under 90 points in 10 of their 11 wins this season. The Breakers, on the other hand, have struggled offensively, scoring below 90 points in 14 of their 22 games, resulting in a 3-11 record in those matches.

Key players to watch include Melbourne United’s Shea Ili, who is having the best scoring season of his career, and the Breakers’ Matt Mooney, who has stepped up in the absence of the suspended Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Mooney has averaged 26.3 points and 6.3 assists per game over the last four games.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Foxtel, with live streaming available on Kayo Sports, which offers a free trial for new users. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. AEDT.