The Dadgum Dispatch: Breaking and Holding Serve Posted Jan 24, 2020 In tennis, the server has an advantage because they’re hitting the ball first. If you can break service, you can regain control of the match. No, this isn’t tennis. But the same applies to basketball. It’s called a game of runs. A team gains control when its opponent is unable to score when it has the ball. Empty possessions are all too familiar for the Tar Heels. (Dadgum Box Scores)