Two crucial games in the Sal's NBL tonight with the ladder set to change based on the result of each game. First up tonight from 5:30pm the Mike Pero Nelson Giants (3-7) clash with the Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (3-8), which will be followed by the Fluid Recruitment Otago Nuggets (6-4) up against the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls (6-4).
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.
GIANTS vs RAMS
When: 5:30pm / Saturday July 18
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
Giants Starters: Tysxun Aiopulotea, Dane Brooks, Tom Ingham, Zeb Lovell, Mike Karena
Rams Starters: Taylor Britt, Sam Smith, Reuben Te Rangi, Quintin Bailey, Alex Talma
Preview: This game takes on significant importance for both teams as they desperately try to return to the winner's list. The Rams have lost 8 straight games, the Giants are on a 4-game losing streak. Both teams will also want to start stringing some wins together over the last week of the regular season in the hope of avoiding a 6th or 7th place finish, from where a run to the title will be extremely hard. The one thing we do know about the Rams and Giants is to date they have rarely been given a chance to be at full-strength, but that might all change in this game with both teams likely to name a full squad. The Rams should have Gillooly and Te Rangi in uniform (both played on Thursday night) and there is a strong feeling that Karena, Bloxham and Vukona will play for the Giants (all three were missing during the week). For Vukona, if he does play, it will be his first game in the competition following a trip to hospital to have his appendix removed. As for a winner, this game is simply too hard to predict, it could go either way. Sam Smith was in great form on Thursday night and is worth watching closely here, Rebuen Te Rangi will be starting to settle and could be in line for a big game, while Mike Karena will be keen to drop some big numbers for the Giants. An important clash and yet another one that could go down to the wire.
Last Time They Met
Rams 87 lost to Giants 97
The Giants got the win with a 37-22 first qtr and led by as much as 22pts
The Giants shot at 54%
Mike Karena dominated with 27pts, 13rbs and 6ast
Taylor Britt did his best for the Rams with 21pts
NUGGETS vs BULLS
When: 7:30pm / Saturday July 18
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
Bulls Starters: Jackson Stubbins, Everard Bartlett, Isaac Davidson, Dom Kelman-Poto, Sam Timmins
Preview: What a great game this will be. The Nuggets and Bulls have been so much fun to watch and right now both are eyeing a top-two finish ahead of finals, which could be set-up here with a win. Both teams know what's on the line here, and very little separated them last time they met. Both teams have settled starting line-ups, and of course both have genuine stars. Jordan Ngatai delivered a swag of highlights on Thursday night, including a thunderous throwdown dunk, and he'll be looking to continue that form. The Nuggets have a very reliable second unit as well, their depth has been impressive and has ensured their starters have remained in good health through a robust schedule. The Jordan Hunt and Sam Timmins match-up is a ripper, two young forward/centres locking horns. Ngatai and Davidson is another clash worth watching carefully, while Kane Keil and Dom Kelman-Poto will both play important roles for their respective team, especially at the offensive end. Very little between these teams, but in the race for an easier path in the finals, this game will count for plenty.
Last Time They Met
Nuggets 79 lost to Bulls 85
The Bulls had 24pts off the bench compared with the Nuggets at 13pts
Sam Timmins starred with 24pts and 11rbs for the Bulls
Nikau McCullough dropped 14pts and had 4stls off the bench for the Bulls
