New Zealand coach Kevin Braswell has stopped short of accusing Adelaide 36ers of playing dirty but wants physical late-game scraps to be tidied up following the Breakers' 104-96 win at Titanium Security Arena.
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Former captain Brendan Teys and current skipper Daniel Johnson were both called for unsportsmanlike fouls during a frantic final 90 seconds as the Sixers desperately attempted to fight back after being over-run for most of the second half.
"I watch every game 3-4 times just to see everything," Braswell said.
"A lot of stuff that you saw happens all the time.
"I think we've definitely got to clean that stuff up because you don't want to play dirty.
"Adelaide's a tough team - that's what they do.
"They're going to play hard till the buzzer sounds.
"That's what you're going to get when the emotion is up there and everyone's competing - you're going to have that stuff."
The Breakers managed to hold their nerve - and the lead - which hasn't always been the case this season.
"We've lost a lot of games that were close," Braswell said.
"I think now we're starting to figure out how to close games."
Gun American centre Shawn Long played a pivotal role, ragdolling Adelaide with 28 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks.
It was a fine turnaround from the former NBA big man who, only six days earlier against Adelaide, fouled out with five points and four boards in the Breakers' 11-point loss.
"One of the things we wanted to do today was keep Shawn out of foul trouble," Braswell said.
"We rely a lot on Shawn to get rebounds.
"He plays 34 minutes and we're good."
Australian Associated Press
