A great night of Sal's NBL action on the way. First up from 5:30pm it's the Fluid Recruitment Otago Nuggets (3-3) taking on the Property Brokers, See Me Media Manawatu Jets (4-3), followed at 7:30pm by the Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Wildcats (3-5) up against the Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs (5-3).
Remember, every night you get to watch 2 games for the price of 1.
Adults are $20, Students $10 and Children (U12) just $5. Tickets are available at the door, or can be pre-purchased online HERE.
NUGGETS vs JETS
When: 5:30pm / Saturday July 11
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9, Sky Sport Now, Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, Tribe Sports App in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door or online HERE / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Nuggets Starters: Jarrod Kenny, Josh Aitcheson, Jordan Ngatai, Kane Keil, Jordan Hunt
Jets Starters: Jayden Bezzant, Nelson Kirksey, Ashton McQueen, Tom Vodanovich, Taane Samuel
Preview: This match-up looks like a ripper. Very little separates these two teams, as evidenced by the first time they clashed when the final result (a Nuggets win) went down to the final few seconds when Jordan Ngatai nailed a big three-pointer. The Jets will probably be without Hyrum Harris again (hip), though he is getting closer to a return. At full-strength the Jets look an ominous force with loads of scoring potential across their starting line-up. The Nuggets have been a lot of fun to watch so far, they rotate well and possess a number of rising stars. In particular Jordan Hunt is a young forward on the rise who continues to get better with every game. Tonight's match-up between Hunt and Taane Samuel will be a lot of fun to watch. Look for Kenny to go to Bezzant in an effort to quell his scoring prowess, while Ngatai could prove a handful for Nelson Kirksey. The key player for the Jets who must be slowed is Tom Vodanovich, and it is hard to see who is going to do that? If Vodanovich gets off the leash it will go a long way to scoring a win for the Jets.
Last Time They Met
Jets 100 lost to Nuggets 104
Nuggets got the win with a 27-16 3rd qtr
Nuggets had 31pts off the bench compared with just 6pts for the Jets
The two teams put up 75 three-point attemps between them
Jarrod Kenny had 28pts, Jordan Ngatai went for 19pts & 10rbs
Jayden Bezzant (30pts), Tom Vodanovich (28pts) and Taane Samuel (20pts) led for the Jets
RAMS vs AIRS
When: 7:30pm / Saturday July 11
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9, Sky Sport Now, Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, Tribe Sports App in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door or online HERE / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Airs Starters: Derone Raukawa, Kenneth Tuffin, Marcel Jones, Shane Temara, Tai Wynyard
Rams Starters: Taylor Britt, Sam Smith, Ben Carlile-Smith, Quintin Bailey, Alex Talma
Preview: The banged-up Rams are hanging in there and remaining highly competitive, as evidenced by their comeback on Thursday night against the Huskies. Tonight the Rams take on the highest scoring team in the competition and it's unlikely the boys in Red will be able to deliver 112pts like they did last time against the Airs, so they must find a way to keep Derone Raukawa and Marcel Jones under control. If teh Airs dynamic duo get going the Rams will be in for a long night. On the positive side, Alex Talma has enjoyed a good week and could prove a handful for Tai Wynyard, while Taylor Britt continues to do his thing despite lots of knocks and some illness. If Britt and Talma, in particular, can get going then maybe the Rams can deliver an upset? Look for Shane Temara to showcase his improving form for the Airs, while sharp-shooting Kenneth Tuffin could be the ace here is he is left open too many time. The Airs will start warm favourites.
Last Time They Met
Rams 112 def Airs 101
Rams had 20 assists, shot at 51% and got to the foul line 27 times
The teams hit 66pts between them in teh 1st qtr (Airs led 35-31)
Taylor Britt had 30pts, 10rbs, 9ast
Derone Raukawa scored 25pts, Marcel Jones went for 19pts & 14rbs
Airs made just 4/22 from beyond the arc
