Giants top the NBL beanstalk
The Nelson Giants have leapfrogged the Wellington Saints to take top spot in the National Basketball League.
Nelson’s 19-point victory over the Manawatu Jets on Thursday night saw them to 10 wins in 12 games, while the Saints then suffered their second loss of the season, at the hands of the Southland Sharks, to drop to second.
Both teams boast a 10-win, two-loss record through 12 games, but the Giants’ superior offensive and defensive numbers see them take top spot.
While the teams either side of the Cook Strait are dominating the league, the Sharks’ big win and a Canterbury Rams victory over the Manawatu Jets mean they are keeping pace at the top.
Australian guard Damon Heuir led the way for the Giants in their 90-71 win over second-last Manawatu, with 24 points and five rebounds, while Kiwi big man Finn Delany also made an impact with 18 points, six boards, and five assists.
Daishon Knight had 23 points for the Jets, who are still searching for a second win – though it’s surprised many that they’ve even had one – while Kuran Iverson had 20 to go with 16 rebounds.
The Jets could do no better on Saturday night, thumped 118-88 by the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch.
Tony Tolovae scored 26 points on 10-17 shooting, while Julian Williams-Washburn added 21 points and eight rebounds as the Rams well and truly dealt to the Jets.
Again, it was Knight and Iverson offering resistance, scoring 31 and 24 respectively. Both players had double-doubles.
Southland handed the two-time defending National Basketball League champion Saints just their second loss in the last two years on Friday night in Invercargill, winning 98-86.
The Sharks overcame a strong third quarter fight back from the Saints to end their 10-game winning run, having last lost to Southland in the opening round of the season on April 27.
Southland received a balanced scoring attack with Australian point guard Jarrad Weeks (22 points) and Reuben Te Rangi (19 points) both leading the way on attack. Centre Alex Pledger, returning from an ankle injury, was a force in the paint with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Ili fought valiantly for the Saints with 26 points and seven assists after his hectic week, while big man Majok Majok poured in 17 points, to go along with 16 boards.
The Hawke’s Bay Hawks suffered a home loss to the Taranaki Mountainairs, which was something of a form reversal, although it took overtime for them to get home.
The teams were locked at 73 at the end of four quarters, but the Airs pulled away in the first period of overtime to secure their third win of the season. Alonzo Burton scored 26 points and Javonte Douglas 25.
At a glance
Nelson Giants 90 (Damon Heuir 24, Finn Delaney 18) Manawatu¯ Jets 71 (Daishon Knight 23, Kuran Iverson 20) 1Q: 21-23; HT: 48-35; 3Q: 68-51
Southland Sharks 98 (Jarrad Weeks 22, Reuben Te Rangi 19, Alex Pledger 16, Orlando Coleman 14) Wellington Saints 86 (Shea Ili 26, Leon Henry 22, Jordan Ngatai 19, Majok Majok 17) 1Q: 29-20, HT: 58-38, 3Q: 80-69 Taranaki Mountainairs 90 (Alonzo Burton 26, Javonte Douglas 25) Hawke’s Bay Hawks 84 (Dion Prewster 19, Jarrod Kenny 18, Jamie Skeen 18) 1Q: 19-17 HT: 33-34 3Q: 50-55 FT: 73-73 FT/OT: 90-84
Canterbury Rams 118 (Tony Tolovae 26, Julian Williams-Washburn 21) Manawatu¯ Jets 88 (Daishon Knight 31, Kuran Iverson 24, Brandon Lucas 18) 1Q: 27-22 HT: 61-40 3Q: 85-66