NOT many would have predicted New Zealand Breakers to be the only team to exit Round 12 with back-to-back wins, but a victory over Brisbane Bullets on the road last night followed on from the pre-Christmas upset at home against Sydney Kings.

Looking across Round 12, it was the Breakers who bookended the round with victories, starting off with a 109-101 triumph over the Kings as Anthony Lamb (24 points, four rebounds and three assists) stepped up, supporting the red-hot duo of Parker Jackson-Cartwright (17 points, nine assists and three rebounds) and Mantas Rubstavicius (17 points).

The Breakers then quelled the Kings last night, 81-71 off the back off a more clinical shooting display that included 53 per cent from two-point range. Lamb (18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists) was massive, as Rubstavicius (15 points) and Jackson-Cartwright (seven assists) also contributed. The Bullets were unable to hit a shot – 33 per cent efficiency from the field – but dominated the rebounds (46-35) with Chris Smith (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Josh Bannan (14 points seven rebounds) the key players.

Perth had a couple of thrillers in Round 12, suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Melbourne United in one of the games of the year (109-103) before winning a thriller themselves against Cairns Taipans on Boxing Day (105-102).

Bryce Cotton put his hand up for yet another Most Valuable Player this season, draining a whopping 69 points across the games, including nine of 18 from long-range and 22 of 23 from the charity stripe. Kristian Doolittle (23 points, 24 rebounds) was enormous defensively, while Keanu Pinder (29 points, 18 rebounds) also shone across both matches.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they could not contain Ian Clark (25 points) in the loss to United, while both Luke Travers (20 points, eight rebounds and five assists) and Jo Lual-Acuil (18 points, eight rebounds) were phenomenal off the boards.

Cairns Next-Star Bobi Klintman (24 points seven rebounds and three steals) was the standout for the Snakes in their loss to the Wildcats, after a quieter contribution (eight points, five rebounds) in his side’s 19-point win to South East Melbourne Phoenix earlier in the round. Instead it was Patrick Miller (17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds) and Sam Waardenberg (20 points, six rebounds) who led the way in that encounter.

The disappointing loss did not stop the Phoenix rising from the ashes on Christmas Day, downing Tasmania JackJumpers on the Apple Isle. Gary Browne picked up a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds as well as six assists, while Abdel Nader (20 points, seven rebounds) also put up big numbers.

A couple of days earlier, the JackJumpers staged a road win against the in-form Illawarra Hawks, winning 100-89 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Jordan Crawford (20 points) top-scored for the visitors, but was one of a massive six players to hit double-figures in a real team effort. Will Magnay had woes at the line (one from six) but nailed all his field goal chances (six from six) to finish with 13 points and seven rebounds. They got the win despite a double-double from Sam Froling (22 points 11 rebounds) in just 25 minutes on court.

The Hawks did pick up a win though, handing Sydney Kings a four-point heartbreaker on Christmas Day despite trailing by as much as 18 points at one stage. Froling (20 points, eight rebounds) was productive one again, as Gary Clark (13 points, seven rebounds) and Lachlan Olbrich (nine points, 10 rebounds) both went to work off the boards. Jaylen Adams (22 points, five assists and four rebounds) and DJ Hogg (15 points, six rebounds and four assists) tried hard for the Kings.

In the other Round 12 game, Adelaide 36ers downed Brisbane Bullets in what would be the first of two losses for the Bullets across the round. Thanks to a 20-8 assist differential, the 36ers were led by Jacob Wiley (21 points, 12 rebounds and four assists) and Dejan Vasiljevic (23 points, six assists and three rebounds) with the latter draining five of 11 from beyond the arc. They picked up the win despite a mammoth 36 points from Bullets star Nathan Sobey.

Basketball fans do not have to wait long for Round 13 to commence, with the action rolling on from tonight. Adelaide 36ers host Perth Wildcats, before Sydney Kings look to bounce back against Cairns Taipans tomorrow. Brisbane Bullets take on South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday before a two-match New Year’s Eve fixture between the Hawks and 36ers and Taipans and Melbourne United takes place. Tasmania JackJumpers and New Zealand Breakers conclude the round on New Year’s Day.