Round 4 of the Sal's NBL season is in the books and a look at the ladder shows just how close the Championship race is. The Wellington Saints sit on top without a blemish, but with the Propeorty Brokers Manawatu Jets getting a 'dub' all teams now have at least one win.
The competitiveness of the competition shone through with another overtime thriller, five games decided by single digits, and three of those games decided by just three points.
And how about those Mike Pero Nelson Giants? With agruelling schedule this round (due to venue availability) the Giants grabbed two wins from three games to get their season back on track.
Let's take a look at The Week That Was.
Mike Pero Nelson Giants 91 defeated Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams 79
The Giants got up early in this one and didn't look back, at one stage leading by as much as 24 points as the Rams simply couldn't find an answer to Hunter Hale. Ably supported by Donte Ingram and Tom Ingham, Hale & co. proved too good for teh Jack Salt-less Rams.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Steelformers Taranaki Airs 87 lost to Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks 90
While many thought the Hawks had put this one to bed early, the Airs once again proved they will just keep coming - almost snatching a chance to put the game into overtime on a long shot from Marcel Jones. The Hawks did enough to get the win, thanks largely to a hot-shooting Ethan Rusbatch, but there were some worrying signs of injuries to come out of their trip to New Plymouth.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Wellington Saints 111 defeated EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls 82
And on march the Saints. Full of run and real cohesiveness between the starting unit, the Saints were never headed and in many respects taught the Bulls a few lessons along the way. Kerwin Roach was the star, with a cast of helpers. It was the start of a tough weekend for the Bulls.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Sky Tower Auckland Huskies 92 defeated Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks 71
With a battered Hawks team arriving from New Plymouth, the Huskies took full advantage of an opponent missing Devondrick Walker and Ethan Rusbatch, while after just a few minutes Derone Raukawa added to the Hawks' woes when he exited with a calf injury. Brook Ruscoe and Chris Johnson took full advantage of the situation, albeit with Hyrum Harris doing all he could to get the Hawks off the ground.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams 89 defeated EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls 86
While the win was anything but clinical, the Rams once again entertained a packed Cowles Stadium with a show. The Bulls led for a long way, before Deshon Taylor and EJ Singler took over down the stretch, the import pair dazzling the Rams fans with plenty of highlights. Josh Selby did everything he could to deliver a win for the Bulls, but in the end they headed home after a tough roadtrip that delivered two losses.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Go Media Otago Nuggets 86 lost to Mike Pero Nelson Giants 89
Another overtime thriller for the Giants, their second of the season. The good news for Coach Fitchett is his team got over the line in this one. With Hunter Hale again unstoppable, the Giants started the Southern Swing with a memorable win. The Nuggets did all they could through Sam Timmins, Isaiah Moss and Jeremy McKay, but in the end this was another piece of showtime from Hale.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets 85 defeated Steelformers Taranaki Airs 77
The Jets are finally on the board after snapping a five game losing streak. Played in front of a capacity crowd in The Ballroom, the Jets got their usual source of points from Daishon Knight, but he was upstaged by his 20-year old teammate Jake McKinlay. The young Palmerston North product turned in a ripper of a game, at both ends of the court, and is one to watch as the season unfolds. For the Airs, the round delivered two close losses as they continue to show good signs of competiveness.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks 101 defeated Mike Pero Nelson Giants 92
The Sharks returned home after a string of games on the road and really were handed a big opportunity for a win with a tired and battered Giants team arriving on their doorstep. Having already played two games in three days, the Giants starting unit just looked bogged down in concrete and had no answers for the team in orange. After losing Sam Dempster early, which was added to Anzac Rissetto sitting with concussion, the Sharks took full adavantage with Brayden Inger and Don Kelman-Poto going to work. In a pleasing sign for the Sharks, all five started dropped double-digits. For the Giants, a good round with two wins, and some great signs from the support crew with the likes of Beri and Trathen grabbing their opportunity to play bigger roles.
Game Report - click HERE
Boxscore - click HERE
(Photo Credits: PhotosportNZ
