Photo Credit: Chris Ryan & Louise Emanuel
NBS Nelson Giants (5-11, 10th) v Night 'n Day Otago Nuggets (2-13, 11th)
The Giants have won three of their last five to keep their postseason hopes flickering but must overcome a Nuggets squad desperate to break a long losing streak. Can Nelson keep the dream alive, or will the Nuggets spoil the party and finally return to the winner’s circle?
When: Friday 13th June, Rapid League 6:30pm, Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 4 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube | TikTok Livestream: sksportnz
Last Time Out:
Nelson hosted the Jets and a blistering 33–12 first quarter set the tone for the home team, with the Giants attacking the paint and moving the ball freely. Jeremy Combs found form again with 21 points and 6 rebounds, while Andrew Jones stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 8 assists, and 6 boards. Alex Robinson kept the offense ticking with 15 assists and 9 points, as Nelson piled up 35 team assists on 38 field goals in a clinical showing. The Jets made a brief third-quarter push, but the Giants held firm to claim a key 109-89 win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Otago hosted Taranaki on the second leg of their Southern Swing, hoping to end a losing streak and play the role of spoiler. A slow scoring first quarter gave way to faster pace in the 2nd and 3rd quarters as Don Carey Jr (34pts, 7rbs 1stl) carried the offensive load but just Jono Janssen (19pts, 10rbs, 2ast) joined him in double figures as the Nuggets built a slender 2 point lead heading into the 4th. But that is when the Airs depth and talent burst through as Carlin Davison (20pts, 8rbs, 9ast, 2stls, 2blks) and Craig Moller (17pts, 16rbs, 4blks, 2ast) led from the front to drop 32 points in the quarter, securing a 92-78 win. The victory pushing the Airs back to the top 3 on the ladder while giving the Nuggets their 11th straight loss.
What to Expect:
The Giants will have the advantage on the block, with no defenders in the same weight class as Cal McRae which will leave a smaller defender on Jeremy Combs who continues to be a handful in the post. The playmaking of Alex Robinson is contagious, as their assist rate continues to climb up the chart, reaching an incredible 92% last time out. That unselfishness allows scorers on the weakside to find space, as the Jones Brothers (Andrew and Hayden, no relation) attack off the catch while Liam Judd drops corner three's or attacks the basket. Rebounding can be an issue, but that can me made up with work rate. Their efficiency from deep is improving but the rate will need to lift if the Nuggets get hot from deep.
The Nuggets work rate is indeniable, and their grinding style has slowed down every offense they've come across of late but it has yet to provide an end to their losing streak. Don Carey Jr, Jono Janssen and Jaylen Sebree will all need to be on top of their offensive games to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the only players to average double figures, but it would help if they could find a higher rate of efficiency. Caleb Smiler, Darcy Knox, Christian Martin, Josh Aitcheson and Matthew Bardsley all have a part to play, especially on defense, but a surprise (or collective) effort on offense will be key to finding the winners circle again.
Matchup to Watch: Alex Robinson v Don Carey Jr- Robinson is the straw that stirs the drink for the Giants, offering penetration and playmaking that keeps the offense going while Carey can equalise things with his skill from deep.
Stats that Might Matter:
| Stat | Giants | Nuggets |
| Scoring Offense | 88.81 (7th) | 87.47 (8th) |
| Scoring Defense | 92.19 (7th) | 97.07 (last) |
| Effective Field Goal % | 51% (7th) | 50% (9th) |
| Field Goal % Defense | 47% (9th) | 49% (last) |
| Free Throw Rate | 30% (4th) | 29% (6th) |
| Free Throw % | 68% (10th) | 65% (last) |
| Three Point Rate | 35% (last) | 43% (2nd) |
| Three Point % | 32% (6th) | 33% (4th) |
| Turnover Rate | 13% (6th) | 12% (8th) |
| Assist Rate | 63% (2nd) | 55% (7th) |
| Offensive Rebound Rate | 29% (3rd) | 24% (9th) |
| Defensive Rebound Rate | 72% (6th) | 72% (9th) |
| Block Rate | 6% (8th) | 5% (last) |
| Steal Rate | 9% (8th) | 10% (4th) |
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
