NBS Nelson Giants (4-11, 10th) v Property Brokers Manawatū Jets (8-5, 3rd)
The Giants post-season hopes are hanging by the skinniest of threads as an injury affected Jets team comes to town. Will the Giants be able to grab a win on their home court for the second time this season or will the Jets maintain their top three ladder position?
When: Sunday 8th June, Rapid League 12pm, Sal's NBL 1pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube |
Last Time Out:
The Giants travelled to Tauranga hoping to build on recent form, but the Whai had other ideas. Anzac Rissetto (24pts, 7rbs) and Mojave King (24pts, 5rbs, 8ast) came out firing, helping the hosts seize an early lead. Jeremy Combs responded with 27 points and 7 rebounds, but the Giants couldn’t gain ground. A cold night from beyond the arc (4-22 3PFG) hampered their offense, and they ultimately fell 102-84.
The Jets took their home game on the road to Hawera to face the Sharks, undeterred by their hosts' typically strong form of late. Despite losing Kenny Goins early, the Jets held their own in a tightly contested clash, limiting the impact of the Sharks’ frontcourt. Keylan Boone poured in 29 points and grabbed 8 boards to help the Sharks take a third-quarter lead, but the Jets never lost touch. Quinton Rose was steady all night with 18 points, 6 assists and 4 steals, while it was Dontae Russo-Nance who delivered in the clutch, burying the game-winner with four seconds remaining. The Sharks had one last shot to snatch it, but Alonzo Burton’s three missed the mark as the Jets walked away with a gritty win 91-88.
What to Expect:
The Giants have made a concerted effort to establish their interior presence early in games, and they’ll feel they hold the size advantage in this one. But their reluctance to shoot from deep (they attempt threes at the lowest rate in the league) allows defenses to clog the paint. Combs and Cal McRae will need to dominate the block, but the Jets’ pace could mitigate that edge. For Nelson, Alex Robinson and Andrew Jones must push the tempo in transition while also creating penetration in the halfcourt. Generating extra possessions will be crucial against a Jets team that rarely turns the ball over and is dangerous on the offensive glass.
The Jets, coming off an 11-day break, should be rested and well-prepared against a Giants side playing their second game of the week. However, they’ll be without Kenny Goins and Corey Webster due to injury. That absence of interior presence makes pace their greatest weapon, an opportunity for Tautoko Wynyard to step up. Expect heavy minutes from the core trio of Russo-Nance, Rose and Miles Gibson, all of whom will likely play 38+ minutes. Isaac Miller-Jose has been effective in the pick-and-roll, and Dion Collins will bring toughness in his starting role. With depth stretched thin, foul trouble could be a concern, though this Jets team has overcome adversity all season.
Matchup to Watch: Alex Robinson v Dontae Russo-Nance - The pg's will try to bring their teams to victory in different ways, Robinson with his penetration that he uses to facilitate for others and Russo-Nance with his mid range game that utilises his exceptional strength for a guard. In Russo-Nance can create steals with his pressure the Jets will be in good shape, if not the Giants offense will play with a higher level of freedom.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Giants | Jets |
| Scoring Offense | 87.47 (8th) | 95.00 (3rd) |
| Scoring Defense | 92.40 (7th) | 94.92 (9th) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 51% (9th) | 52% (5th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 48% (9th) | 48% (10th) |
| Free Throw Rate | 29% (5th) | 24% (last) |
| Free Throw % | 67% (10th) | 69% (7th) |
| Three Point Rate | 35% (last) | 36% (9th) |
| Three Point % | 32% (6th) | 33% (4th) |
| Turnover Rate | 13% (7th) | 11% (2nd) |
| Assist Rate | 61% (2nd) | 54% (9th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (3rd) | 25% (7th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 73% (7th) | 73% (6th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (8th) | 8% (6th) |
| Steal Rate | 9% | 24% (last) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
