Jets push Nelson Giants hard
‘‘I just keep working hard to try to get my team involved. I’ll keep doing that.’’ Kuran Iverson
Kuran Iverson almost dragged the Manawatu¯ Jets to an improbable upset win over the Nelson Giants.
The Giants won 87-85 at the Arena on Sunday night, but had to scrap all the way against Iverson, who drained 38 points, and a Jets outfit that is getting better each week.
The Jets could have won the game too, having led 84-83 with 28 seconds remaining, but missed a couple of scoring chances and let Nelson sneak back in front.
From Hartford, Connecticut, in the United States, Iverson had originally planned on heading to Australia to play, but after speaking with fellow Jets import Daishon Knight and coach Tim Mctamney, he ended up in Palmerston North.
And since joining the team, the 24-year-old Iverson has made his presence felt. He was in top form against Nelson, shooting 14 from 22, and he also had eight rebounds and two assists.
He knows the role he has to play in a team mainly made up of teenagers.
‘‘I just keep working hard to try to get my team involved,’’ the 2.05-metre forward said. ‘‘I’ll keep doing that. It’s not about the win. It’s about getting these guys better.’’
Iverson and the Jets had a strong first half and were up 48-45 at the break, thanks to three-pointers from Ben Valentine and Knight, but they had a slow start after halftime, which allowed Nelson back into the game.
The Jets roared back, though, with Iverson and guard Knight, who also had a strong attacking game, scoring 24 points, along with five rebounds, five assists and six steals.
Nelson kept giving the ball away late in the game, letting the Jets come back at them, and the gap closed heading into the final minutes.
But a couple of missed shots from the Jets and well-timed fouls worked in Nelson’s favour.
Mctamney lamented the bad patch in the third quarter and missed free throws down the stretch.
Nelson had point guard Kyle Adnam running the show and sharpshooter Damon Heuir causing trouble, both scoring 21 points, while import Jerry Evans Jr made an impact in the second half as he was given more minutes, scoring 20 points.
Star Nelson forward Finn Delany was given limited court time due to foul trouble and playing on Saturday night, but made a big difference in his 17 minutes.
Nelson were also missing gun forward Tohi Smith-milner.
There was finally some atmosphere for a home game, with the fans in the Ballroom finding their voice and riding the team home.
The Jets’ next game is a tough one, away against the Wellington Saints on Friday.
But Manawatu¯ have been competitive in their past three games and will be heartened by the performance against Nelson, who are one of the top sides. Nelson Giants 87 (Kyle Adnam 21, Damon Heuir 21, Jerry Evans Jr 20, 13 rebounds) Manawatu¯ Jets 85 (Kuran Iverson 38, Daishon Knight 24). Q1: 24-22, HT: 45-48, Q3: 73-68. Standings: Southland Sharks 8, Bay Hawks 8, Canterbury Rams 8, Nelson Giants 8, Wellington Saints 6, Taranaki Mountain Airs 4 Manawatu¯ Jets 2, Super City Rangers 0.