Fresh credentials to be etched on the silverware and, if the history between these teams is anything to go by, the 2024/25 final has the potential to be an instant classic.
It could be argued the psychological advantage will go to the Breakers, who, in their short existence, have reached three finals and won all three, one of which was against Reading.
Then in NBL2 South, the Breakers beat the Rockets 95-85 in the National Cup final in 2024, followed by a Playoff final success against Team Solent Kestrels in April. Before those two victories, they dominated the UEL Lions in the NBL3 Playoff final.
However, the Rockets have won the only piece of silverware so far this season, as 30 points from MVP Justin Hopkins sealed a resounding 108-83 win over Hemel Storm in January’s National Cup final.
It makes for a finely balanced showpiece, with both coaches proud of the work their teams have done so far.
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“We're super excited,” said Breakers coach Billy Beddow-Patel.
“We lowered our expectations this year for Division 1. We wanted to come in and prove that we belonged, perform well, and be competitive.
“The guys have done just that, and with a number of players on the team from Milton Keynes, it further shows the success of what we're doing as a programme.
“I think this final against a really good outfit in Reading is a chance for us to kind of test where we are as we head into the business end of the season and see where we stand against some of the best teams.”
You could argue Milton Keynes deserve to be in that bracket as one of the best teams in NBL1 this season, ranking second in the division with an average of 89.7 points, closely followed by Reading's 89.5.
Currently occupying the fourth spot with a 12-8 record, the Breakers are on course for a home Playoff spot come the end of the season. One of those 12 victories has come against Reading as recently as 16 February. Nate Robinson had 19 points, supported by 17 from a returning Jordan Spencer.
Spencer proved to be a thorn in Reading's side in last year's National Cup final. His 34 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists handed the Breakers their ten-point win, and Spencer justifiably scooped MVP honours.
Milton Keynes' strengths lie not just with Spencer but with their two Americans, KJ Johnson and Adrian Scarborough, who both average 18 points a game at more than 50% from the field. An extra threat can be found in Nate Robinson, who posts 16.7 a contest.
Beddow-Patel is not thinking about past successes, though, and is aware of the danger that the Rockets pose ahead of Saturday's KitKing Trophy showdown.
“I think Reading are playing really well this season,” said Beddow-Patel.
“They don't have as much size as us or some other teams in the league, but it never bothers them because they scramble so hard, they play so hard on defence.
“They are a high-scoring team, have got a lot of a lot of offensive tools in Mitch Clarke, Victor Olarerin, Justin [Hopkins], Lewis Champion, and then guys coming off the bench like Simon Chamberlain, even Zain Poorman has been showing that he can score. No doubt, they're always a dangerous team to play against.”
Head coach Samit Nuruzade has praised Reading Rockets’ collective effort, emphasising that every player has contributed to their current success.
The Rockets arguably beat the odds to knock off Hemel in January’s Cup final but they have proved they belong at the top table, sitting in second place in NBL1 behind Storm and eight points ahead of fourth-placed MK.
Every player on the Reading roster can contribute, with seven players all averaging seven points or more, led by Hopkins, who is sixth in the league in scoring at 19.1 points a game. Point guard Mitch Clarke is a bullseye three-point shooter, going 43% from deep this season, and totalling 17.7 points.
“I'm extremely proud,” said Nuruzade. “Without the hard work, this doesn't happen. Every single one of them contributed in one way or another.
“I absolutely can't single out one or two players, but all of them. We are a team. We are a very good team as well. So, I love the work they put in and I love working with them every day.”
This will be Reading’s third meeting with the Breakers, with the Berkshire outfit only securing the one win, a 92-73 win at Bletchley back in November, fronted by 33 points from Hopkins.
“The danger the MK brings to the table is plenty,” Nuruzade said. “Outside shots, they've got very good pick and roll players and outside perimeter shooters.
“They've got very good post-up and just a slasher and rebounder. It will be a tough game, tough matchup and we played at their place, we beat them. They played at our place, they beat us, which shows the very interesting league we are at the moment. Very hard, interesting league.”
Milton Keynes Breakers |
Reading Rockets |
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CoB Rockets – W 93-89 (Group) |
Team Solent Kestrels – W 120-74 (Group) |
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Bristol Hurricanes – W 94-74 (Group) |
Worthing Thunder – W 132-74 (Group) |
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Loughborough Riders – W 80-77 (Group) |
Barking Abbey – W 79-66 (Group) |
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Bradford Dragons – W 95-68 (QF) |
London Cavaliers – W 98-90 (QF) |
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Hemel Storm – W 100-88 (SF) |
Derby Trailblazers – W 85-78 (SF) |
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