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Phil Jones of the Breakers holds off Daryl Corletto of the Tigers - Source: Getty Images -
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The Melbourne Tigers claimed the opening game of the best-of-three semi-final series with a 117-99 NBL win over the New Zealand Breakers.
The Tigers were not challenged in moving one step closer to back-to-back NBL championships.
Melbourne led by as many as 25 points as they coasted to victory.
Melbourne enjoyed a balanced offensive output, with Luke Kendall 25 points, David Barlow 23, and Ebi Ere 22, leading the way.
Chris Anstey, who has been battling a knee injury, finished with eight points while CJ Bruton led the Breakers with 22 points and Kirk Penney added 19. The Breakers were held to just 41 percent shooting as Melbourne dominated both ends of the floor.
The Tigers controlled the game from the outset, jumping to an early 15-5 lead that forced New Zealand coach Andrej Lemanis to call an early time out.
That seemed to settle the visitors who then strung together a 13-3 run to level the scores.
Ronaldson was a key to the fight back with nine points in the run but he had to go to the bench after collecting his third foul mid way through the quarter.
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter before the Tigers moved to a 31-26 lead at quarter time.
Kendall, who had eight points in the opening period, continued to assert his authority as the Tigers pulled clear.
Melbourne controlled the momentum and led by 15 points at the main break, with Kendall scoring 15 off the bench.
The third quarter killed the game off as a contest, as the Tigers outscored New Zealand 32-24 to stretch the lead to an unassailable 23 points.
The second game of the series is set down for Friday night in Auckland.
