Casey Prather put on a clinic Wednesday night, leading the shorthanded Brisbane to a crucial 83-74 victory in the Bullets vs Breakers matchup at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
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Bullets vs Breakers, a matchup between injury-riddled sides
With both teams missing key players—the Bullets without Josh Adams, Keandre Cook, and Rocco Zikarsky, and the Breakers missing Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Mojave King—the game was set to be a battle of attrition, and Prather ensured the Bullets emerged victorious.
The absence of offensive firepower was evident early, as both sides struggled to find their rhythm. The Breakers, relying heavily on free throws, managed to edge out a two-point lead at the first break, despite the Bullets’ greater number of field goal attempts.
Prather ignited in the second quarter, exploding for 11 points and relentlessly attacking the basket. He capitalised on the Breakers’ foul trouble, which saw their big men, including Tacko Fall, spending significant time on the bench. This allowed Brisbane to penetrate and dominate in the paint. Despite a late surge from young Karim Lopez, the Breakers headed into halftime trailing by three.
Bullets maintain control in the second half
The Breakers’ foul woes continued to haunt them in the second half. Brisbane, led by Prather and a strong defensive effort, maintained their advantage. They headed into the final quarter with an eight-point lead.
Despite a late push from the Breakers in the final quarter, including back-to-back threes from Matt Mooney, the Bullets held on for the win.
Prather finished with an impressive 31 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. His all-around performance, despite a tough shooting night from beyond the arc, proved the difference. Tyrell Harrison also played a crucial role, battling hard against Fall and contributing 13 points and 9 rebounds.
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Brisbane keep top six hopes alive
This win sees the Bullets improve to 10-11, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top-six spot. They now face a crucial clash against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday, with both teams vying for a playoff berth. With Prather in this kind of form, and a hard-fought win under their belts, the Bullets will be confident of continuing their push towards the postseason.
Published 09-January-2025
Match preview published on 06-January-2025.
Bullets vs Breakers: Finals Aspirations Hinge on Pivotal NZ Breakers Clash
The Brisbane Bullets return home Wednesday, 8 January for a high-stakes showdown against the New Zealand Breakers, with both teams battling to keep their finals hopes alive. Bullets vs Breakers tip off 6:30 p.m. at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
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Recent form shows promise despite loss
Despite dropping their first game of 2025 to the Sydney Kings, the Bullets displayed encouraging signs in front of 7,028 loyal fans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The 91–86 loss highlighted Brisbane’s defensive improvements and rebounding dominance, securing a remarkable 29 offensive boards.
Casey Prather, a consistent standout this season, recorded another double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while newcomer Josh Adams made an immediate impact, scoring 11 points and sinking three triples in his debut.
Bullets vs Breakers
Wednesday’s clash against the Breakers carries added significance, as both teams sit just outside the finals cut-off line. The seventh-placed Bullets (9–11) hold a slim edge over the ninth-placed Breakers (8–12), making this encounter crucial for playoff positioning. A victory would not only create breathing space from their rivals but could also propel Brisbane into sixth place, depending on other results.
The timely return of Deng Adel and the addition of Adams bolster head coach Justin Schueller’s rotation. Adel, back from a two-month absence, displayed a promising touch in limited minutes, connecting on two three-pointers.
Challenging road ahead
The Breakers game begins a gruelling final stretch for the Bullets, who face eight games in 30 days. Here’s how their schedule looks after the Breakers clash (team records as of 6 January):
11 January: @ S.E. Melbourne (6th, 11–10), Gippsland Indoor Stadium
15 January: Perth (4th, 12–9), Brisbane Entertainment Centre
17 January: Cairns (10th, 4–16), Brisbane Entertainment Centre
20 January: @ Illawarra (1st, 13–7), Wollongong Entertainment Centre
24 January: @ New Zealand (9th, 8–12), Wolfbrook Arena
26 January: Melbourne (2nd, 13–9), Brisbane Entertainment Centre
31 January: @ Adelaide (7th, 9–11), Adelaide Entertainment Centre
6 February: @ Cairns (10th, 4–16), Cairns Convention Centre
With only four of their remaining nine games at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the Bullets must make the most of their home-court advantage.
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Despite a three-game losing streak, the Bullets’ December form suggests they are trending in the right direction. Their defensive intensity and rebounding prowess must now translate into more efficient shooting if they are to seize this critical moment in their finals push.
