Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets (3-6, 10th) v NBS Nelson Giants (0-8, 11th)
The Nuggets are coming off a devastating overtime loss that has them on the outside looking in at the finals chase but a win against the Giants could get them back on track. The Giants are still winless but hopeful that some new personel can gel and get them back on the winning leger.
When: Sunday 27th April, Rapid League 5:30pm, Sal's NBL 6:30pm
Where: Edgar Centre, Dundedin
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Rams welcomed the Nuggets, who had lost 3 in a row and were expected to play with a bit of desperation and they would jump off to a hot start behind Don Carey Jr (28pts, 6rbs, 6ast) and Jaylen Sebree (24pts, 5rbs) that would sustain itself all the way to a 11-point 4th quarter lead. But a defensive fueled 11-1 Rams run would culminate in an overtime contest after a Tohi Smith-Milner (28pts, 10rbs, 4ast) free throw tied the game with 17 seconds left. Smith-Milner's scored 9 straight to open the overtime, but his two missed free throws with 11 seconds left allowed Carey a game winning chance which wasn't to be, Canterbury claiming a 108-107 thriller.
The Giants would travel to play their Cook Strait rival Saints, hoping that even though they were down an import they could find a way to claim a desperately needed win. The game stayed tight in the first half as the Giants Callum Dalton (14pts, 9rbs, 7ast) found space on the interior to keep things close but a late Saints flurry saw them finish the half with a 6 point lead. In the second half the Saints class rose as Nick Marshall (28pts, 12rbs) and Nick Muszynski (18pts, 5rbs) began to find space as the squad imposed their will on the game to dominate the second half and win 105-65.
What to Look For:
The Nuggets have been finding offensive success paying through Don Carey Jr (24ppg, 6apg, 6.1rpg) in the pick and roll and Jose Perez (20.7ppg, 7.6rpg, 5.4apg) out of the post where he can impose his physicality and find his way to the free throw stripe. Jaylen Sebree (15.6ppg, 5.8rpg) and Jono Janssen (15.5ppg, 4.5rpg) are both coming off their best scoring games of the year. The depth takes a bit of hit with Josh Aitcheson still out with injury (calf) but Darcy Knox (39% 3pfg) and Matt Bardsley (52%fg) have been finding ways to affect the game of late. A lift in defense is needed and coming up against what has been an anemic Giants offense could help in that regard.
A tough season for the Giants could be on the mend with the arrival of Cal McRae (14ppg, 11rpg) and Jeremy Combs (19pts, 6rpg, 5apg) to lift interior play that hasn't been up to the level of the opposition. In the backcourt Alex Robinson (14.7ppg, 6rpg, 5.3apg with Giants) can penetrate defenses to create for himself and others while Alex McNaught (5.p6pg, 3.8apg) has been solid on the defense. The Giants could use a lift in three point shooting and frequency to keep pace or try to find a more defensive pressure to create some opportunities in the possession game. The newly arrived size will help on the glass but the point of attack on defense will need to lift to foce a few more wayward shots.
Matchup to Watch: Don Carey Jr v Alex Robinson - Contrasting styles match up as the methodical pick and roll game of Carey matches with the penetrating drives of Robinson. Carey keeps the defense honest with his three point shooting off the dribble or off the catch while Robinson will look to create more opportunities for his teammates.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Nuggets | Giants |
| Scoring Offense | 92.78ppg (6th) | 79.13 (11th) |
| Scoring Defense | 98.33ppg (11th) | 94.25 (9th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 52%(8th) | 48% (10th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 50% (11th) | 50% (last) |
| Free Throw Rate | 32% (3rd) | 27% (7th) |
| Free Throw % | 66% (9th) | 64% (last) |
| Three Point Rate | 44% ((3rd) | 39% (8th) |
| Three Point % | 37% (3rd) | 29% (last) |
| Turnover Rate | 12% (3rd) | 14% (7th) |
| Assist Rate | 60% (4th) | 62% (3rd) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 25% (7th) | 27% (6th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 75% (4th) | 75% (6th) |
| Block Rate | 5% (last) | 6% (9th) |
| Steal Rate | 8% (11th) | 8% (10th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
