The Sal's NBL has officially entered the second half of the 2020 season. With the ladder changing on a daily basis, every game is delivering plenty of highlights. First up tonight from 5:30pm it's the Auckland Huskies (3-4) up against the Property Brokers, See Me Media Manawatu Jets (4-4), followed at 7:30pm by the Mike Pero Nelson Giants (3-5) taking on the Fluid Recruitment Otago Nuggets (4-3).
Remember, every night you get to watch 2 games for the price of 1. And tonight is First Responders Night - just show your credentials at the door for free entry, including your immediate family.
Adults are $20, Students $10 and Children (U12) just $5. Tickets are available at the door, or can be pre-purchased online HERE.
HUSKIES vs JETS
When: 5:30pm / Sunday July 12
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
Huskies Starters: Isayah Le'afa, Marvin Williams-Dunn, Taine Murray, Leon Henry, Tohi Smith-Milner
Jets Starters: Jayden Bezzant, Nelson Kirksey, Ashton McQueen, Tom Vodanovich, Taane Samuel
Preview: This game takes on a whole new look after the Jets were blown off the court last night by the Nuggets. Make no mistake, the Jets will be smarting after their 94-130 loss, which included a 38-73 second half capitulation. The Huskies will come in fresh having won their last two games (Nuggets, Rams) and will be keen to make it three in a row. Izayah Le'afa has helped transform the Huskies since his arrival and he looks set to be in contention for an All-Star berth, his ability to score and bring others into the game is exactly what was missing for the team over the opening week of the season. The Jets will have reviewed last night's game and will come out firing, their fall after half-time against the Nuggets was far from acceptable. Expect Hyrum Harris to still be sidelined (though he is nearing a return) so others will need to step up in his absence. The Le'afa versus Bezzant match-up will be a ripper - remember Le'afa didn't play when these teams met for the first time. Both are in hot form and can turn it on - this clash could decide the game. The other match-up to keep an eye on will be Leon Henry against Tom Vodanovich - both players go hard and will know their match-up will be crucial. Overall the biggest question is which Jets team will we get tonight?
Last Time They Met
Huskies 67 lost to Jets 95
The Jets won this game with a 54-21 first half
Tom Vodanovich dropped 38pts with 10 triples
Hyrun Harris completed a near triple-double with 11pts, 19rbs and 9ast
The Huskies shot at just 32% / The Jets put up 41 3pt attempts, nailing 16
NUGGETS vs GIANTS
When: 7:30pm / Sunday July 12
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
Giants Starters: Tyxsun Aiopulotea, Tom Ingham, Dane Brooks, Zeb Lovell, Mike Karena
Preview: In a big 130-94 win over the Jets last night, the Nuggets delivered some of the best basketball we've seen this season, their 73-38 second half was fun to watch (provided you aren't a Jets fan). The Nuggets have really come together, the players have relished the chance of getting to know each other and clearly enjoy being on the court together. The experience and leadership of Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai is starting to show through. For the Giants, who continue to be competitive, they just need to get back in the winner's circle. Injuries have slowed them, but they continue to battle away and you can't help but feel they loom large as causing an upset or two in the near future. Mika Vukona remains out, but is nearing a return after getting his appendix out, while Josh Bloxham remains sidelined with concussion. On the upside, Dane Brooks is starting to find his scoring stroke and he could catch fire here, while Mike Karena is always a threat down low and will need to score big in an intriguing match-up with young Jordan Hunt. Keep an eye on Kane Keil, he dropped 29pts last night and looks to be chock full of confidence, like the rest of his team. The Nuggets will start warm favourites, but write off the Giants at your own peril.
Last Time They Met
Nuggets 107 def Giants 82
The Nuggets shot at 56% and dished off 25 assists
Jordan Ngatai top-scored with 23pts / Nic Trathen had 21pts
The Nuggets scored 58pts in the paint compared to the Giants with 26pts
The Nuggets put the foot down in the last with a 31-16 quarter
