The action keeps heating up in the Sal's NBL Showdown. Another two important battles tonight with ladder positions ahead of finals firmly on all minds right now. First up at 5:30pm it's the Mike Pero Nelson Giants up against the Auckland Huskies, followed at 7:30pm by the Property Brokers, See Me Media Manawatu Jets against the Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs.
Catch all the action at Trusts Arena and 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 HUSKIES
When: 5:30pm / Sunday July 19
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
Huskies Starters: Izayah Mauirohooho-Le'afa, Marvin Williams-Dunn, Nathan Wilson, Leon Henry, Tohi Smith-Milner
Preview: The Giants could jump the Huskies on the ladder with a win here and hold a head-to-head advantage over them for finals, which will hold significant importance given both teams are trying to stay away from a 6th vs 7th elimination final. The Giants will come in with some renewed confidence after a win over the Rams last night, and now that they have Vukona and Karena on court together they do pose a whole new threat. The Huskies were dealt a severe blow after Thursday night's win when it was revealed young star Taine Murray had broken a bone in his hand, the injury sidelining him for the remainder of the Sal's NBL season. The Huskies are expected to announce a permanent replacement prior to tip-off in this game. Loads of interesting match-up to watch in this game, but probably the biggest question is which Giant will stop Izayah? Vukona will play more minutes and will have a good battle against Henry, the Karena and Smith-Milner clash will also be good, while either Williams-Dunn or Wilson will need to try and quell Dane Brooks. But, who stops Izayah? That right there could be the key to this game.
Last Time They Met
Huskies 83 lost to Giants 91
The Giants got the win with a 28-11 third quarter and led by as much as 23pts
The Giants had 41pts off the bench, every Giants player in action scored
Both teams shot poorly from the foul-line, the Giants at 56%, the Huskies at 40%
Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'Afa shot 32pts and dished of 8 assists
JETS vs AIRS
When: 7:30pm / Sunday July 19
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
Jets Starters: Jayden Bezzant, Nelson Kirksey, Ashton McQueen, Tom Vodanovich, Taane Samuel
Airs Starters: Derone Raukawa, Kenneth Tuffin, Marcel Jones, Shane Temara, Tai Wynyard
Preview: Plenty on the line here in a 1st (Airs) versus 3rd (Jets) clash, and of course an all-important head-to-head battle as well with the Jets holding an advantage. If the Jets can get the win here they will move to the top of the ladder in an ominous warning for the rest of the competition. Over the last four weeks the only question hanging over the Jets is if their defence is good enough to win the competition? We know the Jets can score freely, but when the avenues to goal dry up, can their defence keep them in the contest? Tonight they play another strong offensive team, especially when Raukawa and Jones get going - which is basically every game. Will this game come down to which team stands up at the defensive end? Hyrum Harris is nearing a return from his hip injury and might actually play, though there will be some thought towards holding him out until Tuesday when the Jets play the Bulls. Some key match-ups here include Raukawa up against Bezzant, Vodanovich and Temara will be fun to watch as well, but the key might be who the Jets put to Marcel Jones? Expect a close finish either way.
Last Time They Met
Jets 102 def Airs 93
The Jets set up teh win with a 39-23 third quarter
Jayden Bezzant and Taane Samuel starred with 24pts each
The teams put up 79 x 3pt attempts between them for the game
