Week 5 of the Sal's NBL Showdown starts with a bang as all four teams try to secure a high ranking ahead of Finals Week. Both games are expecting to be of a high quality with a lot riding on each result.
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.
JETS vs BULLS
When: 5:30pm / Tuesday July 21
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
Jets Starters: Jayden Bezzant, Ashton McQueen, Hyrum Harris, Tom Vodanovich, Taane Samuel
Bulls Starters: Jackson Stubbins, Everard Bartlett, Isaac Davidson, Dom Kelman-Poto, Sam Timmins
Preview: The Jets are finally at full-strength and they look an ominous unit, especially their starting five which is arguably the best in the competition, or at least the most potent at the offensive end. If the Jets get off the leash for a sustained period in any game, they can score at will and become very hard to stop. Interestingly, the Bulls have one of the best defensive units going around, especially with Sam Timmins proving to be the competition's best rim protector, so this makes for an intriguing match-up. The Jets managed just 72pts last time against the Bulls, but didn't have Hyrum Harris or Nelson Kirksey in uniform. Question is, if the Bulls can slow the Jets, can they themselves score enough points to win? And if so, where are those points coming from? Dom Kelman-Poto is standing out at the offensive end and his match-up with Tom Vodanovich will be key in this game, while Isaac Davidson up against Hyrum Harris is a match-up worth paying to see. Two of the competition's best big men also square off in Taane Samuel up against Sam Timmins. There is a lot to like about this game.
Last Time They Met
Bulls 83 def Jets 72
The Bulls dropped 46pts in the paint compared with the Jets 18pts
The Jets put up 70 shots for the game, of which 44 were from outside the arc (landed 11 of them)
The Jets were missing both Hyrum Harris and Nelson Kirksey, both will play tonight
The Bulls had five players score in double-digits, including four of their starters
HUSKIES vs NUGGETS
When: 7:30pm / Tuesday July 21
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 Mauirohooho-Le'afa, Marvin Williams-Dunn, Nathan Wilson, Leon Henry, Tohi Smith-Milner
Nuggets Starters: Jarrod Kenny, Josh Aitcheson, Jordan Ngatai, Kane Keil, Jordan Hunt
Preview: The Huskies have won three straight games, the Nuggets have won their last two, and both are firmly in the battle for a top two finish for finals. One of the Huskies weaknesses this season has been their lowly shooting, but all of that was erased on Sunday night against the hapless Giants when the Aucklanders incredibly nailed their opening 17 shots, which helped them secure an easy win. The loss of Taine Murray to a hand injury is a significant blow for the Huskies and it will take some time for them to adjust to not having their young star on court. On the plus side, Tohi Smith-Milner is getting better with every game and looks like he will play a big part from here on, while Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa is a genuine star and looks set for bigger opportunities post the Showdown. The Nuggets continue to be a very solid unit, they have great leadership in Ngatai and Kenny, but equally they continue to show unity across the fun squad to watch. There is little doubt the Nuggets will be a heavily followed team during Finals Week, their fans are enjoying every single minute of the season. As for who wins this game - keep an eye of Jordan Hunt and Jordan Ngatai working together, they really have formed a lethal partnership for the Nuggets, while for the Huskies another good outing from Smith-Milner and Izayah will be crucial to their chances.
Last Time They Met
Nuggets 69 lost to the Huskies 81
The Nuggets were reduced to just 32% shooting and had 23 turnovers
Leon Henry and Tohi Smith-Milner took 25 rebounds between them
The Nuggets landed just 8 of 39 attempts from beyond the arc (20%)
