And so we arrive at R12 of the Sal's NBL season - what a ride it's been!
But the rollercoaster is far from the finish line just yet. While we know our Final 4 teams, what order they finish in remains a mystery.
Let's take a look at the seven games coming our way this round.
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Thursday July 15
Where: ILT Stadium Southland
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 2
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
In last week’s game against the Nuggets, we game in to the game with a completely different mindset after having our butts kicked the previous week against the Hawks. The performance that we put on secured us a place in the Finals, with the first half was arguably our best performance for the season with stifling, high intensity defence and outstanding perimeter shooting to score 71 points for the 1st half. This week’s game against Canterbury Rams is going to be an interesting contest as the outcome of the game will have no effect of the finals next week. However, although the Rams can’t make the playoffs, they are very talented with 2 very good imports in Taylor and Singler and their size with Salt, Darling, Bailey and Talma really caused us huge problems last time we played them where they completely smashing us on the glass 49-30 whilst also having 25 offensive rebounds! This is an area that we must get better in leading into next week’s finals. What is most exciting and inspiring for our Club will be the return of our leader and big man Alex Pledger who will play a cameo role this week. No matter what the outcome will be in this game, the winner will certainly be Alex Pledger.
Mick Downer (Rams)
We really look forward to a return match after a recent loss to our Southern counterparts at home. It was a good quality came that came down to the last few minutes with the Sharks making plays down the stretch and sealing the game. We’ll do what we can to return the favour tonight. It’s a real unknown how this game will play out with the Sharks fine tuning for the play-offs and us trying to finish the season the right way after recent improvements in our play. Welcome back to Chief after his earlier diagnosis of cancer, he has been a stalwart of the national program, the NZ Breakers and the NZ NBL so it’s fantastic to see him tighten up the laces for the game.
Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks vs Property Brokers Manawatu Jets
When: Thursday July 15
Where: Pettigrew Green Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3
Jacob Chance (Hawks)
We’re excited for our last game at PGA this season, another big test for us against a Jets team with a lot of weapons. We will continue to focus on some core principles that will carry us forward beyond the regular season. We can’t wait to play in front of our fans and hopefully give them a good result to finish the regular season.
Tim McTamney (Jets)
Our youngsters stepped up against the Wellington Saints, showing great character and genuine effort. We were competitive for long stretches but could not sustain this for the full 40 minutes. Nothing changes this week, we have a tough encounter with the Hawks this Thursday and the Giants back at home on Sunday to finish our season. Extended court time, consisting of three starting positions and important bench minutes, is available to our young players. They are excited by the challenge.
EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls vs Wellington Saints
When: Friday July 16
Where: Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
We look forward to hosting the Saints at the stockyard this Friday. Zico has his team playing some good basketball and a team that are on a good run of form heading into the final 4. With this being the final game of our season the boys are looking to put on a good display in front of our fans one last time this year. We look forward to an exciting evening hosting the Saints and hope we can finish this season on a high.
Zico Coronel (Saints)
We are pleased to have secured our spot in the Final Four coming up but continue to pursue our quest on improvement. This weekend's Double header in Auckland against Franklin Bulls and Auckland Huskies will prove to be a challenge. They are both well coached teams, feature many strong players, and are sure to pose us some problems to solve, and in doing so enhance our learning. In turn we intend to present a few quandaries of our own. We look forward to both tip offs this weekend.
Steeleformers Taranaki Airs vs Mike Pero Nelson Giants
When: Saturday July 17
Where: TSB Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, NZNBL.basketball, Tribe Sports App
Trent Adam (Airs)
After a tough road double header last weekend we are looking forward to finishing the season in front of our amazing home fans. Through out the season they have shown great voice and energy, providing a memorable experience each and every game. I’m sure that will continue when the Giants come to town on Saturday. The high scoring duo of Hale and Ingram, with a combined usage rate of 55%., will be sure to put pressure on our defence. A challenge our group is looking forward to, as we aim to finish the season on a positive note, and enjoy the time on the floor with the fans after the game.
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
The Airs have been playing some great basketball recently and will be looking to reward their fans with a win in their final home game of the season. Slowing down Marcel Jones and Tai Wynyard will be the main focus for us, as those two players have shouldered the bulk of the scoring load for the Airs this year.
Go Media Otago Nuggets vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Saturday July 17
Where: Edgar Centre
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
The Rams and the Go Media Nuggets meet in their final game with only Pride on the line! Both teams have recently been in the hunt for the playoffs and we’re certainly wanting to finish the year well! Jack Salt will bring a different looking Rams team. He and Isaiah Moss will have plenty to chat about as they both head to Brisbane as team mates in the Bullets. Most of all it’s an opportunity to play in front of our home fans and sponsors before the planning starts for 2022! I personally would like to thank the players for giving of themselves for each other! Utaina koutou ki te mihi.
Mick Downer (Rams)
In our last game of the season it will be a battle of pride between two teams that came close to a post season dance but not close enough, unfortunately we’re stranded out in the car park freezing our asses off as the dance will get underway inside. The Nuggets played a great game earlier in the season on our home court and earned the result against. This and a semi-final loss in last year’s showdown has left a bitter taste in our mouth and we look forward to the opportunity in our last 40mins of the season to play great Rams basketball and finish the season on a high. We want to thanks the Sal’s NBL, Wheeler Motor Company, all our corporate and community partners who have shared this roller coaster of a ride in 2021. We also wish also the best to the teams in the playoffs next week, it looks like being a close and exciting Final 4.
Sky Tower Auckland Huskies vs Wellington Saints
When: Saturday July 17
Where: Eventfinda Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Last game of the season! Having secured a Final Four spot, our mindset shifts to playoff mode and getting ready for finals basketball. For us, there is still plenty to play for. Being our last home game of the season, we want to finish the regular season strong and put on a show for our loyal fans who have been so good to us this whole year. We will use this week to prepare for the top of the table Saints and excited to play a really good team in the last game of the season. We see it as an opportunity to really get better and grow one last time.
Zico Coronel (Saints)
We are pleased to have secured our spot in the Final Four coming up but continue to pursue our quest on improvement. This weekend's Double header in Auckland against Franklin Bulls and Auckland Huskies will prove to be a challenge. They are both well coached teams, feature many strong players, and are sure to pose us some problems to solve, and in doing so enhance our learning. In turn we intend to present a few quandaries of our own. We look forward to both tip offs this weekend.
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets vs Mike Pero Nelson Giants
When: Sunday July 18
Where: Fly Palmy Arena
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tim McTamney (Jets)
Our youngsters stepped up against the Wellington Saints, showing great character and genuine effort. We were competitive for long stretches but could not sustain this for the full 40 minutes. Nothing changes this week, we have a tough encounter with the Hawks this Thursday and the Giants back at home on Sunday to finish our season. Extended court time, consisting of three starting positions and important bench minutes, is available to our young players. They are excited by the challenge.
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
We travel down from New Plymouth to Manawatu to face the Jets in our last game of the season. It is important that we finish the season on a high and come away with a win. The Jets got us on our home court, so we are hoping to reverse that result and split the season series.
