The Mike Pero Nelson Giants and Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams are both backing up from losses last night and waiting for them will be the Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs (5:30pm vs Giants) and Auckland Huskies (7:30pm vs Rams).
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.
AIRS vs GIANTS
When: 5:30pm / Thursday July 9
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3 in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door or online HERE / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Airs Starters: Derone Raukawa, Kenneth Tuffin, Marcel Jones, Shane Temara, Tai Wynyard
Giants Starters: Josh Bloxham, Tom Ingham, Dane Brooks, Zeb Lovell, Mike Karena
Preview: The Airs (4-3) will be fresh and ready for the Giants (3-4), the latter coming off a large loss last night where not too much went right against the Jets. Defensively the Giants will need to step it up, particularly given they are up against the highest-scoring offensive team in the competition. Raukawa and Jones are scoring at will right now, while Temara has really moved up a gear over the last week with what he brings to the team. Mike Karena will be pivotal here for the Giants, he is a bit more mobile that Wynyard and could run the young centre ragged. Both Ingham and Brooks will be looking to bounce back tonight, so keep an eye on them. It appears the Airs have an ace who might get the better of his opponent and this where the game could be won and lost. For the Airs you can't see anyone slowing Derone Raukawa, he is enjoying an amazing run of good form and the Giants will need to be at their absolute best to keep him under control. If Raukawa gets off the hook it's hard to see the Giants snatching the win.
Last Time They Met
Airs 112 def Giants 96
HUSKIES vs RAMS
When: 7:30pm / Thursday July 9
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3 in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door or online HERE / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Huskies Starters: Izayah Le'afa, Taine Murray, Nate Wilson, Leon Henry, Tohi Smith-Milner
Rams Starters: Taylor Britt, Sam Smith, Ben Carlile-Smith, Quintin Bailey, Alex Talma
Preview: The Huskies come in with some winning form and a real desire to move off the bottom of the ladder, while the Rams come in on a 4-game losing streak and will be desperate to find some winning form. Despite last night's loss, Alex Talma was a real shining light for the Rams and will look to build on that form, so keep an eye on him tonight. Word is Toby Gillooly is still at least a week away, so others will need to step up and fill the scoring hole for the Rams, while a banged-up Taylor Britt certainly needs some extra help as well. For the Huskies, they look a lot better now with Le'afa running the show and a more settled starting unit. Nate Wilson continues to excite and Taine Murray just keeps improving with every minute he's out there. The young guard trio for the Huskies might be the most exciting trio to watch right now - they sure know how to deliver some highlights. Another tough night ahead for the Rams' walking wounded - can they bounce back and upset the Huskies?
Last Time They Met
Rams 102 def Huskies 70
