Week three of the Sal's NBL starts with another two intriguing games, and based on what we've already seen during the opening two weeks of action there will be little between the Fluid Recruitment Otago Nuggets and Auckland Huskies at 5;30pm, which will be followed by the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls and Steelformers Taranaki Mountainairs at 7:30pm.
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.
NUGGETS vs HUSKIES
When: 5:30pm / Tuesday July 7
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3 in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Huskies Starters: Izayah Le'afa, Nate Wilson, Taine Murray, Leon Henry, Tohi Smith-Milner
Nuggets Starters: Jarrod Kenny, Benoit Hayman, Jordan Ngatai, Kane Keil, Jordan Hunt
Preview: The Huskies need a win and they will be eager to get the job done here. With Le'afa flying and Henry returning, the Huskies should settle quickly, but the question is - can they start hitting their shots? The opening two weeks haven't been kind to the Huskies with their shooting below expectations, but they are taking enough shots and you feel it is only a matter of time before they start dropping. The Nuggets have been a lot of fun to watch so far - they are always competitive, they rotate well and every player on the roster is getting a chance to showcase their talent. Jordan Ngatai looms as the player the Huskies will need to stop here, his influence at both ends of the floor has been a highlight for the Nuggets. Look for a good battle here between Jordan Hunt and Tohi Smith-Milner, while the Le'afa versus Kenny duel will be a ripper. Nuggets will start favourites, but there won't be much in this one.
Huskies Weapon: Taine Murray is growing in confidence and it's only a matter of time before he delivers a big game. With Izayah Le'afa beside him and clearly scoring at will, added attention to the dynamic point guard means Murray will be getting plenty of opportunity to do his thing.
Nuggets Weapon: Jordan Hunt is a star on the rise and with every game he's looking more and more at home in the national league. The Nuggets are still finding their feet and as the season progresses you can be sure that Hunt will keep climbing the ladder in his personal development.
Huskies Leaders: Izayah Le'afa (18pts), Leon Henry (10.8rbs), Izayah Le'afa (4.7ast)
Nuggets Leaders: Jordan Ngatai (19.6pts), Jordan Ngatai (5.6rbs), Jarrod Kenny (4.8ast)
BULLS vs AIRS
When: 7:30pm / Sunday July 5
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3 in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Bulls Starters: Jackson Stubbins, Everard Bartlett, Isaac Davidson, Dom Kelman-Poto, Sam Timmins
Airs Starters: Deron Raukawa, Francis Mulvihill, Kenneth Tuffin, Marcel Jones, Shane Temara
Preview: The Bulls are on a 4-game winning streak, the best we've seen thus far in the Showdown - can they keep it going here against the Airs? Still the only team yet to alter their starting line-up, the Bulls are showing great consistency and bit by bit the roster is starting to find its way and deliver on the potential we all knew was there. The big test for the Bulls will be stopping the Airs' scoring - they are the only team going at plus 100pts per game and if the defence isn't up to scratch they will punish you. The Kenneth Tuffin versus Isaac Davidson clash could be worth watching, while Shane Temara and Sam Timmins will put on a show. Jackson Stubbins has a huge job for the Bulls if he goes to Raukawa, though one would expect the Bulls to share the load as they try and find a way to keep the Airs gun guard quiet. The Bulls will be favoured to add another win, but when the Airs get going they can prove to be a handful. This might be a lot closer than some may think.
Bulls Weapon: Dom Kelman-Poto (12.3pts, 6.7rbs) is starting to roll, gaining more confidence in the Bulls system with every game. With added attention going on to Davidson and Timmins, DKP looms as the player who is going to keep slipping under the opposition's guard.
Airs Weapon: Shane Temara (12.7pts, 5.8rbs) is building his confidence with each game. After a slow start, the versatile and athletic Temara was a standout in week two and is now shaping as a formidable extra scorer for the Airs.
Bulls Leaders:Isaac Davidson (17.5pts), Dom Kelman-Poto (6.7rbs), Everard Bartlett (2.5ast)
Airs Leaders: Derone Raukawa (22.5pts), Marcel Jones (15.5rbs), Derone Raukawa (7.3ast)
