Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams vs Sky Tower Auckland Huskies
When: Friday May 14
Where: Cowles Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Mick Downer (Rams)
We welcome our second game of the year at the Cowles Cauldron this round with great excitement. Our aim is to continue to improve our play in front of our passionate Red Army. Fighting for consistency is a goal this week, after playing better basketball last round, we still feel that the performance was too up and down. Our opposition although filled with younger players will have ex NBA player Johnson in the front court coming off a big debut and veteran guard, “radio man” Ruscoe in the backcourt. It should be an exciting encounter at we take on a side that is undefeated after some buzzer beating heroics from former Ram Jeremy Kendle who has returned to Australia to fulfil his NBL1 contract. Enjoy the game.
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Big weekend ahead for us, as we leave Auckland for the first time as a group and tackle a really good Rams team, who are coming off a solid win against the Jets. Looking forward to the challenge of dealing with Canterbury’s size and interior presence.
EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls vs SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks
When: Friday May 14
Where: Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 3
Tickets: click HERE
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
We are looking forward to having the Sharks in town. A well established franchise that has had a lot of success in the last decade or so, we know this will be a massive challenge. Rob has this team starting to fire so we will need to be disciplined if we are to be successful. As a team we were really disappointed with our defensive efforts last week and will look to turn this around.
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
After being on a tough double road trip last weekend against The Saints and The Hawks, it doesn’t get any easier for us with another double road trip against Franklin Bulls and Auckland Huskies. Franklin have arguably two of the best import combinations in the league with Josh Selby and Zane Waterman and a very solid group of kiwi players we must be ready to play. We need to be more consistent and become better defensively if we are to slow down this high octane team and give us a chance of getting back on the winning list.
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets vs Go Media Otago Nuggets
When: Saturday May 15
Where: Fly Palmy Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Tim McTamney (Jets)
After a tough start to the 2021 season, the Jets finally get to play in front of their home crowd. The team are pleased to be back in the warmer climes of the Manawatu and are genuinely excited regarding our rematch with the Otago Nuggets. All signs point to a big, supportive crowd in our opening home game and we are intent on producing a good performance for the people of the Manawatu.
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
The Nuggets get our first taste of being on the road this week. The team are looking forward to getting away together, listen to some TJ Zimba on the boom and enjoy a yarn or two in the vans. The Jets demonstrated their ability to score last week and will be a formidable force on their runway. The back to back will allow both teams to make tweaks and adjustments to combat high level scoring from last week. Most importantly I get to see my Mum!
Wellington Saints vs Mike Pero Nelson Giants
When: Saturday May 15
Where: TSB Bank Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 8
Tickets: click HERE
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Can the Saints of today outperform the Saints of yesterday? Every practice or game we strive to improve upon our previous collective performance. This Saturday's game versus the Giants is sure to aid us in our pursuit of ongoing improvement. They are well coached, with many strong players, and will present us with a real challenge. We look forward to meeting the challenge posed, the associated learning we will make, and putting on a spectacle for our Saints Family at TSB Arena in Wellington.
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
After a tough weekend double header in Auckland, we hit the road again to take on the Saints and Hawks. This is a great chance for us to test ourselves against a couple of very strong sides. After notching our first win of the season and coming very close to picking up another, we are keen to see how we stack up against these two sides. A great challenge!
Sky Tower Auckland Huskies vs SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks
When: Sunday May 16
Where: Trusts Arena
Time: 3:00pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 2
Tickets: click HERE
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Back at home Sunday to take on the Sharks.. excited to play at Trusts Arena, a venue that we know too well from last years Showdown. We’ll be pumping that game up as we look to expand our brand across the 09!
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
The second game of our road trip against an inform and equal top of the table Auckland Huskies is going to be tough. They are playing with a lot of confidence and definitely is going to be a huge challenge. With the inclusion of former NBA player Chris Johnson in the Huskies, this is going to cause a major mismatch for us with us lacking size without us having Alex Pledger. Once again, we need to do our best to get the bodies ready to play another double header. However, starting the season with so many double headers, it is only going to make us better and become a more resilient team.
Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks vs Mike Pero Nelson Giants
When: Sunday May 16
Where: Pettigrew Green Arena
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport 9
Tickets: On sale at the door
Jacob Chance (Hawks)
We’re really looking forward to another quality game verse the Giants. While we have 2 wins on the board, we have a lot of room to grow and some areas we aren’t satisfied by where we are at. Nelson comes in with 2 great imports and a solid group of locals who play hard and play for each other. So we will need to tidy up some areas and keep building in the right direction. I look forward to the fellas putting on another great display in front of our home fans at PGA!
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
After a tough weekend double header in Auckland, we hit the road again to take on the Saints and Hawks. This is a great chance for us to test ourselves against a couple of very strong sides. After notching our first win of the season and coming very close to picking up another, we are keen to see how we stack up against these two sides. A great challenge!
Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs vs Go Media Otago Nuggets
When: Sunday May 16
Where: TSB Stadium
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, nznbl.basketball, Tribe Sports App
Tickets: click HERE
Trent Adam (Airs)
Our first home game of the season was a very emotionally charged event, honouring Coach McKean, and celebrating 300 games for Aaron. A fantastic crowd showed up, and we are hoping they will turn up in force again this week as we complete a season series with the Nuggets. Brent Matehaere has the team playing a positive uptempo style of play, with both Timmons and Moss showing out in the early stages of the season. With the long break between our games we are confident the extra training sessions will see an improvement in the accuracy of our team concepts.
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
The quick turn around in any away trip is always a challenge for both players and management. Combine this with the Airs having 10 days to prep for this game. The challenge is significant! New Plymouth is a beautiful city and we look forward seeing Taranaki!
