After two thrillers on Tuesday night, we have another two very important games on the menu tonight. At 5:30pm it's the Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams up against the Property Brokers, See Me Media Manawatu Jets, followed at 7:30pm by the Mike Pero Nelson Giants against the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls.
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.
RAMS vs JETS
When: 5:30pm / Wednesday July 15
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now in NZ / ESPN in United States / NZNBLpass.com everywhere else
Tickets: Available at the door or online HERE / Adults $20, Students $10, Juniors $5
Rams Starters: Taylor Britt, Reuben Te Rangi, Sam Smith, Quintin Bailey, Alex Talma
Jets Starters: Jayden Bezzant, Nelson Kirksey, Ashton McQueen, Tom Vodanovich, Taane Samuel
Preview: The Rams are eager for a win and to help them get back in the winner's circle ahead of finals they have secured Reuben Te Rangi, who is expected to debut tonight. The addition of the Tall Blacks skipper is a perfect one for this young Canterbury group, it will provide them with some mentorship on court and an added voice of support to help them grow and develop ad exciting NBL players. The Jets will be hoping their good form is on show tonight, and that usually starts with good shooting from deep. No team takes or lands more shots from beyond the arc than the Jets, so this will usually be where they win or lose a game. Hyrum Harris is nearing a return, but it's likely to be the weekend before we see him back in action. The Britt versus Bezzant match-up will be critical, while Sam Smith going up against Nelson Kirksey is one to watch, especially if Smith gets going at the offensive end. Alex Talma will do the bulk of the big man duties again for the Rams, but look for Tom Webley to keep increasing his role of the Rams bench. Jets to start favourites, but the injection of Te Rangi should not be underestimated.
Last Time They Met
Jets 108 def Rams 93
Vodanovich, Bezzant, Samuel and Harris combined for 95pts for the Jets
The Jets hit 15/32 from beyond the arc, the Rams went 6/10
Tom Webley had a break-out game with 17pts in 15min and hasn't looked back since
The Rams had 19 turnovers, from which the Jets converted into 20pts
GIANTS vs BULLS
When: 7:30pm / Wednesday July 15
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3, Sky Sport Now 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: Tysxum Aiopulotea, Dane Brooks, Tom Ingham, Nic Trathen, Zeb Lovell
Bulls Starters: Jackson Stubbins, Everard Bartlett, Isaac Davidson, Dom Kelman-Poto, Sam Timmins
Preview: The Bulls will come in smarting from last night's narrow loss to rivals the Huskies, so expect them to be fired-up from the opening tip. After a run of four wins, the Bulls have lost two of their last three games so they will be seeking a return to form and will eye the undermanned Giants as an opportunity to do that. The Giants continue to ben banged up - Vukona (appendix), Bloxham (concussion) and Karena (ankle) are all likely to miss this game. All three could return for the weekend. Look for Dane Brooks, Tom Ingham and Nic Trathen to do the heavy lifting for the Giants, while Zeb Lovell and Theo Johnson will have their hands full down low against Kelman-Poto and Timmins. While the Bulls will start favourites, no teams digs in like the Giants do, and time and time again they continue to prove that sheer determination keeps them in games - they just need to get across the line in one. Will this be their night?
Last Time They Met
Giants 69 lost to the Bulls 73
The Bulls scored 24pts off Giants turnovers
Mike Karena was the only Giants player in double digits - he scored 26pts
Both teams shot at under 40% (Giants 39% - Bulls 37%)
