Watching the Perth Wildcats celebrate their semifinal win over Illawarra, a feeling began to brew within Mika Vukona.

An impractical schedule could hamper any grand final meeting between the Breakers and their arch rivals Perth.

The Breakers dispatched Melbourne at Vector Arena tonight to advance to yet another grand finals.

Melbourne would have sensed they were in trouble the moment Mika Vukona snaffled two steals in two first-quarter minutes.

The Breakers survived a couple of major scares to take game one of their semifinal series against Melbourne.

After appearing dead and buried three weeks ago, the Breakers' dream of a fifth championship is still alive.

There has been one constant during the three-game winning streak that has lifted the Breakers to the verge of a playoff place.

It's been a close shave for the Breakers as they chase an all-important spot in the Australian NBL basketball playoffs.

Level heads and an electric final quarter lifted the Breakers to another crucial victory this evening.

The Breakers tonight earned the victory they needed to keep alive their faint playoff hopes, barely beating the Crocs.

In basketball parlance, the free-throw line is often called the charity stripe - but the New Zealand Breakers aren't accepting many donations.

Two of the Breakers' favourite sons have been given the keys to the kingdom.

Departing Breakers coach Dean Vickerman talks about the man replacing him, his assistant Paul Henare and why the franchise needs a New Zealand coach.

Former player Paul Henare has been named as the New Zealand Breakers head coach for the 2016-17 season, replacing current coach Dean Vickerman.