It's safe to say the Breakers bounced back nicely after the season-opening defeat - all it took was another triple-double from Cedric Jackson.
The defending champions yesterday found the increase in energy they were seeking to top Townsville 89-81 and level their ledger at 1-1, with Jackson snaring a late rebound to secure his fourth triple-double for the club.
The American watched as the club unveiled their fourth championship banner in the Vector Arena rafters and, having played such a pivotal role in procuring three of those trophies, proceeded to display title-winning form.
And Jackson's timing could have hardly been better. Facing the pre-game loss of Mika Vukona and following an uninspired season-opening performance in Adelaide, the Breakers needed to show immediate improvements.
By the time a missed shot from the Crocs clanged off the rim and bounced into his grateful arms, Jackson had ensured those amendments were made, finishing with an influential 14 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.
Jackson flourished when playing both creator and finisher and, crucially, he was never guilty of forcing himself on the game. Because with a leadership void created by Vukona's high hamstring strain - snapping a streak of 211 consecutive games for the power forward - Dean Vickerman was concerned his star man would want to assume too much of the on-court responsibility.
But Jackson instead picked his moments, excelling in the open court as the Breakers powered in front while playing with pace, and allowing his teammates to illustrate the gains they had each made in their respective games.
"We talked to him about letting his actions lead the group," Vickerman said. "When he does that, and he's just concerned with his own performance and with running the show, he's a great player. And he showed it."
Jackson was far from alone in shining and, with the shots once again falling, the Breakers never trailed against a Townsville side who fell into an early 0-2 hole. After a horror night from beyond the arc in Adelaide, the Kiwi club shot an ideal 10-from-19 from deep, with Everard Bartlett and Reuben Te Rangi filling the offensive hole left by Corey Webster.
Bartlett enjoyed a particularly efficient afternoon - grabbing a game-high 19 points on seven-of-nine shooting - as he appeared intent on demonstrating he belongs in the Australian NBL regardless of whether his Webster lands a spot with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Tom Abercrombie was one of six Breakers to finish with double figures after returning from injury alongside Alex Pledger to boost the Breakers after the blow of Vukona's injury. And while Abercrombie's efforts surprised few, it was perhaps Pledger's fine first-half cameo off the bench that most pleased Vickerman, given the coach was uncertain of the big man's status earlier in the day.
"Pledge was 50-50 at shootaround," Vickerman said. "We had a good, honest discussion and he said he was going to give it a go."
Pledger and Abercrombie will both be hoping to back up in Illawarra on Wednesday night, when the Breakers meet former favourite son Kirk Penney and the Hawks.
Breakers 89 (Bartlett 19, Jackson 14, Te Rangi 12)
Crocs 81 (Jett 16, Conklin 15, Maynard 10)
HT: 48-38
