The action never stops in the Sal's NBL! Seven big games are on the schedule for R10 with a number of massive contests that are set to help shape the Final 4.
Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams vs SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks
WHEN: Friday July 2
WHERE: Cowles Stadium
TIME: 7:30pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 9
TICKETS: click HERE
Mick Downer (Rams)
An exciting match up tonight against our counterparts from the deep south. Playing at home again in front of a raucous crowd will have our Rams guys pumped. Our opponents have played throughout the year lead by their import combination, stalwart DKP, veteran shooter Burton and exciting young wing Inger. We will also see a return to Cowles of former Rams Toby Gillooly, and young guard Tom Cowie (who wore the jersey at the 2020 showdown). The business end of the season is fun and intense and the reality of our situation is we need to play higher quality and more consistent basketball to earn the results we won’t. It should be a great match up that will be fought hard.
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
After a disappointing 1 point overtime loss to a very determined Auckland team last weekend, we are looking forward to bouncing back against a very talented Rams roster. With the inclusion of NBL player Max Darling and the return from injury of Jack Salt, the Rams should be at full strength and will be going all out in this game and am sure that we will play desperate basketball to win and stay in contention for the playoffs. For us to get a win on the road, we must match the physicality of their big frontline and ensure we do our best to slow down the scoring of their imports Singler and Taylor. This game certainly will be a huge test for us to see if we are a legitimate playoff team against their desperation and pressure.
Steelformers Taranaki Airs vs Wellington Saints
WHEN: Friday July 2
WHERE: TSB Stadium
TIME: 7:30pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, NZBL Website, Tribe Sports App
TICKETS: click HERE
Trent Adam (Airs)
This weekend has the Airs on the Home/Road double header. First up is a return visit from the Saints. Our home fans have continued to provide great support and energy at our games, and we are looking forward to that continuing against the league leading Saints. Last weeks home performance has shown great improvement in certain areas, and we look to continue that growth in our game. Zico and his staff have had a busy week with this being their third game in 6 days. We look forward to the challenge of a game ready Saints organisation coming to town.
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Every practice and game we strive to play the next possession better than we ever have collectively played a possession previously. This Friday's trip to Taranaki to face the Airs represents a great opportunity for us to continue with this quest, particularly from coming from our game previously in Nelson. A team that features many strong players, they are sure to pose us some problems to solve, and in doing so enhance our learning. In turn we intend to present a few quandaries of our own.
Mike Pero Nelson Giants vs Sky Tower Auckland Huskies
WHEN: Friday July 2
WHERE: Trafalgar Centre
TIME: 7:30pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 8
TICKETS: click HERE
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Coming off a big weekend down south, we look to repeat similar success as we head down to Nelson and Manawatu for an action packed weekend, with plenty of implications on the line. As always, it’s about us focusing on what we can control and preparing for two good teams. Fitch and his boys will be locked in at home, so we must do a good job on slowing down their imports and managing their physicality.
Go Media Otago Nuggets vs Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks
WHEN: Saturday July 3
WHERE: Edgar Centre
TIME: 7:30pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 9
TICKETS: click HERE
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
Snow on the hills a cold southerly breeze and the Hawks coming to town to heat things up! 4 weeks ago we received a basketball lesson from the Hawks! Now it’s time for the Go Media Nuggets to show we can grow! Looking forward to welcoming JK back to Dunedin for the first time since his haircut!
Adam Forde (Hawks)
We split the weekend against the Bulls and Saints, but I think the lessons we we can learn from those two games will be extremely valuable. We found ourselves down 17 points in Wellington, but to the teams credit they fought hard giving ourselves multiple chances to win it. However few costly unforced errors saw us on the wrong side of the result. This weekend posses more challenges as we face two playoff contenders. Two contrasting styles as the Nuggets are zone dominate anchored by their big in Timmins. While the well drilled sharks will pressure full court forcing their opponents to speed up. This is a great weekend for us with another finals type dry run as we face two very good teams.
EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls vs Steelformers Taranaki Airs
WHEN: Saturday July 3
WHERE: Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena
TIME: 7:30pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 8
TICKETS: click HERE
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
We look forward to hosting the Airs at home this weekend. With a lot of local youngsters on display for both teams this weekend, we expect a very feisty game with both teams pushing hard in the final stages of the season. The Airs over the last few games have shown that they're more than what their record speaks for and can score the ball at all levels. We are well aware of their threats with one of the best scores in the league in Marcel Jones and Tai Wynard who is having a breakout season.
Trent Adam (Airs)
Saturday night sees us on road with a rematch against the Bulls from early in the season. The Bulls have a very different team from our first game, and Jamie and his staff having the team performing well of late, with a great showing against the Hawks last week. The league leaders in 3 point attempts per game will see plenty of pressure on our defensive rules. With the three new additions to the team helping facilitate a lot of their opportunities. Our progress over the last couple of weeks has been pleasing and we look forward to the challenge of continued improvement across our remaining games.
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets vs Sky Tower Auckland Huskies
WHEN: Sunday July 4
WHERE: Fly Palmy Arena
TIME: 3:00pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 9
TICKETS: click HERE
Tim McTamney (Jets)
I was pleased with the way we faced and overcame some difficulties against the Rams last week. With a number of frontline guys now out for the season, opportunities have arisen for our young players to gain experience and make greater on court contributions. We look forward to the challenges the Huskies will provide this Sunday.
Aaron Young (Huskies)
The Jets are a talented group who are more than capable of beating anyone in the league. A team with nothing to lose is a dangerous opponent, so we have to approach everything we do with the right mindset.
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks vs Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks
WHEN: Sunday July 4
WHERE: ILT Stadium Southland
TIME: 5:00pm
BROADCAST: Live on Sky Sport 9
TICKETS: click HERE
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
This game is going to be a huge game for us against one of the most talented and stacked teams in the league. With the Hawks having their contingency of Australian NBL players returning, their line-up certainly makes them Championship contenders. In addition, knowing that my former Assistant Coach Adam Forde, who has an incredible basketball mind, has come in to lead this team so I know they will be very well prepared. With having to play away on the road against the Rams, we know that we have limited physical preparation against the Hawks. It will be important for us to be ready to play mentally and be switched on for the whole game if we are going to beat one of the favourites for the title.
Adam Forde (Hawks)
We split the weekend against the Bulls and Saints, but I think the lessons we we can learn from those two games will be extremely valuable. We found ourselves down 17 points in Wellington, but to the teams credit they fought hard giving ourselves multiple chances to win it. However few costly unforced errors saw us on the wrong side of the result. This weekend posses more challenges as we face two playoff contenders. Two contrasting styles as the Nuggets are zone dominate anchored by their big in Timmins. While the well drilled sharks will pressure full court forcing their opponents to speed up. This is a great weekend for us with another finals type dry run as we face two very good teams.
