Timmins shows his class in Nuggets’ win
Sam Timmins’ sublime showing will take some topping this season.
Born-and-bred Otago lad Timmins carried the Nuggets to an overtime victory over the Jets in a rematch of last year’s NBL Showdown grand final.
It was some performance from the 2.11m centre, who contributed 29 points and 25 rebounds in Otago’s 92-85 overtime win in Palmerston North on Saturday.
NBL Showdown champions, the Nuggets, have won three straight after opening the season with a 22 point drubbing to the Saints.
Terrific Taylor engineers Rams’ comeback
American guard Deshon Taylor bounced back from a forgettable first half as Canterbury handed the Auckland Huskies their first loss of the season.
Taylor was restricted to two points at halftime on 1-5 shooting, but erupted in the final quarter, scoring 19 points, including 16 in a row, as the Rams ran rampant.
Canterbury outscored the Huskies, playing with one import, 28-13 in the final 10 minutes, pulling off a come from behind win.
Waterman stars in Bulls’ home win
So much for a quiet night from Franklin Bulls’ former NBA guard Josh Selby.
The Bulls overcame a poor shooting game from Selby (seven points on 1-8 shooting) with compatriot Zane Waterman stepping up on the offensive end.
Waterman poured in a game-high 31 points, to go along with nine boards, in the Bulls’ home win over Southland.
It was the third straight loss for the Sharks, who won their opening two games to begin the season.
Saints storm home in second half
The Nelson Giants tested the unbeaten Wellington Saints during the first half, but had few answers after halftime.
Nelson would have been buoyant heading into the main break with the score level at 43-all.
In the second half, it was one-way traffic in the capital though with Wellington pulling away in the third quarter, outscoring the Giants 34-18.
Wellington won the second half 56-30 with Nelson resting their key players in the fourth quarter ahead of a Sunday doubleheader.
Taane Samuel’s standout play for Wellington continued, netting 24 points on 8-10 shooting.
‘Super Sam’ gets Nuggets home in overtime
Sam Timmins was superb for the Nuggets as they snuck past the Jets in overtime.
Timmins’ monster 29 point, 25 rebound effort helped the Nuggets win their third straight, while consigning the Jets to their fifth straight loss to open the season.
There was brief scare for the Nuggets at the start of overtime when Timmins hit the floor clutching his knee after trying to deflect the inbound pass.
He was able to return to the court and made several big plays late in the game to deny the Jets their first win.
American guard Isaiah Moss (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Richard Rodger (16 points) also impressed for the Nuggets.