The Sydney Kings’ championship defence is on shaky ground after the New Zealand Breakers – the NBL’s road warriors – produced a defensive masterclass to edge out the Kings 95-87 in a Game 1 boilover.
The Breakers head home to Auckland on Sunday with a 1-0 series lead following a dominant display to defeat the defending champions on their home court.
Rising Boomers guard William McDowell-White and forward Jarrell Brantley excelled to help the New Zealanders claim early Trans-Tasman bragging rights.
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McDowell-White dropped a near triple-double to finish with a game-high 19 points while he added nine rebounds and nine assists.
Brantley was also immense for the Breakers – dropping 16 points and adding…