Supercity Rangers vs Manawatu Jets - Thursday @ Trust Arena at 7:35pm
Broadcast: live on SKY Sports and Prime TV from 7:30pm
Game Preview
Could this be the battle for the wooden spoon? It hasn't been a winning season for either the Rangers or Jets, but each team has shown some exceptional play in patches and they will be hoping to bring their best to this clash. This dose of Thursday Night lights is all about pride - and avoiding the bottom rung of the ladder. Tim Quarterman and Venky Jois continue to form the backbone for the Rangers and will need to again deliver big numbers, while for the Jets the form of Daishon Knight and Wally Elllenson will be called upon again. Kuran Iverson missed last week’s game and is expected back for this one, making for a big inclusion.
RANGERS
Starting 5
1. Tim Quarterman (guard)
9. Lesae Coe (guard)
19. Denhym Brooke (forward)
55. Venky Jois (forward)
32. Nnanna Egwu (forward)
Bench
5. Randall Bishop (guard) *Questionable
13. Mikaere Watene (guard/forward)
20. Scott Telfer (forward)
6. Jaylen Gerrand (guard)
46. Reuben Fitzgerald (guard)
15. Nick Barrow (forward)
8. Nick Brophy (guard)
Coach: Jeff Green
Assistant: Anthony Keung
Assistant: Greg Elliott
Manager: Auatua Pamatatau
From The Coach – Jeff Green
Bottom of the table clashes are always an interesting game. Neither team wants the “wooden spoon” so both teams give it their all. This game vs the Jets will be no different. The Jets have played well in the last few weeks. They play a lot like us in that they play well in spurts but in the end not for enough minutes. Whoever plays good basketball for the longest will win. Added to the drama is it’s a SKY Sports game so both teams will be looking to impress.
JETS
Starting 5
10. Jackson Stubbins (guard)
40. Daishon Knight (guard)
3. Wally Ellenson (guard/forward)
31. Kuran Iverson (forward)
50. Shane Temara (forward/centre)
Bench
5. Taane Samuel (forward)
15. Troy Temara (forward/centre)
Tia Temata-Frost
4. Haize Walker (guard)
Jake McKinlay
Coach: Tim McTamney
Assistant: Terry Tanoa
Assistant: Josh Reeves
Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney
We were disappointed with fading in the 4th quarter against Saints on Sunday. To lead at half-time and be within striking distance at three quarter time was a credit to my young team. However, close enough is never enough, and we will be looking to produce two full 40 minute efforts this week, starting with the Rangers this Thursday night in Auckland and then home for a Sunday clash with the improving Giants. It promises to be a busy week of basketball.
Canterbury Rams vs Taranaki Mountainairs - Friday @ Cowles Stadium at 7pm
Broadcast: live from 7pm on SKY Sports, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSportsApp, www.pickandroll.com.au (AUS only)
Game Preview
The Rams are locked in for the Final 4 and noise around Christchurch is quickly growing as the hometown fans prepare themselves for a massive weekend on July 20/21. The Rams will again start overwhelming favourites for this clash with the plucky Airs who, despite their two wins for the season, have been pushing teams well above them on the ladder. Expect another competitive showing from the likes of Raukawa, Brooks, Shaw, Burton and Early, however the depth of the Rams will be far too much for the visitors to contain. As we witnessed last week, when the Rams get on a roll they are incredibly hard to stop (just ask the Huskies).
RAMS
Starting 5
4. Emmett Naar (guard)
3. Cam Gliddon (guard)
25. Tony Tolovae (guard)
17. Isaiah Wilkins (forward)
44. Mike Karena (forward)
Bench
1. Luke Aston (guard)
5. Taylor Britt (guard)
10. Sam Smith (guard)
30. Toby Gillooly (guard)
9. Jonathan Janssen (forward)
45. Brent Fisher (forward)
24. Alex Talma (forward)
Coach: Mick Downer
Assistant: Terry Brunel
Assistant: Piet Van Hasselt
Manager: Raewyn Britt
Physio: Lidia Belles
From The Coach – Mick Downer
This week we welcome the Airs to the cauldron as we continue our regular season run. Both teams having two games over the round with the visiting team heading down to Southland and our Rams off to Wellington on Sunday. In the game tonight the Airs pose several challenges with their aggressive style of play, talented offensive players and hard-working role players. Lead by versatile import Chris Early and exciting young guard Derone Raukawa our defence will need to be at its best again to hold off the Airs. We have been improving in several key area’s in recent weeks and will look to again be stingy defensively and up-tempo at the offence end. Like all games winning the effort area’s and the possession game will influence the final outcome of the game. We need to be prepared to grind the gam out over 40mins.
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
Bench
22. Aaron Bailey-Nowell (forward)
1. Mitch Dance (forward)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
7. Houston O'Riley (guard)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Manager: Bevan Seddon
From The Coach – David Bublitz
The guys played really well for three quarters of the game against the league leaders on Saturday night. In the end the massive amount of defensive pressure that The Saints exerted in the third and fourth quarters wore down our guards resulting in tired turnovers, which then lead to quick buckets. Maintaining our standards for longer periods of time and ball security are two of our main focuses for the week. The Southern double is always a tough trip, our group is really looking forward to the challenge.
Southland Sharks vs Taranaki Mountainairs - Saturday @ ILT Stadium at 7pm
Game Preview
It’s a tough weekend for the Airs with back-to-back games against two teams starting to prepare for finals and with a win here the Sharks will basically sew up their place at the Final 4. Always tough to beat at home, and especially given the menacing form Todd Blanchfield is in right now (15 treys in his last two games), a tired Airs team will find the going extremely tough at ILT Stadium. Roberto Nelson sat out last game for the Sharks with an injury and could be absent again. Even so, the Airs need to find away to limit the infectious work-ethic that Hyrum Harris, Dom Kelman-Poto and Tom Vodanovich bring, not to mention Weeks, Pledger and Blanchfield. It’s a big ask for the visitors.
SHARKS
Starting 5
35. Alex Pledger (centre)
97. Jarrad Weeks (guard)
22. Hyrum Harris (guard/forward)
24 . Todd Blanchfield (guard) 1
5. Tom Vodanovich (forward)
Bench
4. Roberto Nelson (guard) *questionable
11. Dom Kelman-Poto (forward)
14. Tai Wynyard (centre)
25. Andrew Wheeler (guard)
45. Tinashe Matambanadzo (guard)
2. Tom Cowie (guard)
34. Connor Coll (forward)
Coach: Judd Flavell
Assistant: Leyton Haddleton
Manager: Troy Paulin
From The Coach - Judd Flavell
We are certainly wary of this Taranaki side who have the talent to upset any team in the league this year. We won’t be taking them lightly but will be sticking to our own goals and game plan as we head towards the end of the season. This game is a chance for us to keep pushing for playoffs and to continue to play in the way we have been for the past few weeks. As usual we are looking forward to the challenge and the fantastic energy our home crowd brings us .
AIRS
Starting 5
14. Alonzo Burton (guard)
8. Derone Raukawa (guard)
5. Xavier Shaw (forward)
21. Chris Early (forward)
20. Thane O’Leary (forward)
Bench
22. Aaron Bailey-Nowell (forward)
1. Mitch Dance (forward)
10. Dane Brooks (guard)
7. Houston O'Riley (guard)
Coach: David Bublitz
Assistant: Andrew Green
Manager: Bevan Seddon
From The Coach – David Bublitz
The guys played really well for three quarters of the game against the league leaders on Saturday night. In the end the massive amount of defensive pressure that The Saints exerted in the third and fourth quarters wore down our guards resulting in tired turnovers, which then lead to quick buckets. Maintaining our standards for longer periods of time and ball security are two of our main focuses for the week. The Southern double is always a tough trip, our group is really looking forward to the challenge.
Hawke's Bay Hawks vs Wellington Saints - Saturday @ Pettigrew Green Arena at 7pm
Broadcast: live from 7pm on SKY Sports, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSportsApp, www.pickandroll.com.au (AUS only)
Game Preview
It is being billed as the ‘Game Of The Season’ and for good reason. The Saints have won 13 straight, the Hawks are on an 8-game winning streak. When they met back in the opening round of the season there was no Brandon Bowman and Daniel Kickert only lasted 12 minutes, while the Saints have added Tom Abercrombie since that 106-79 win at home. Though we still have four regular season round to play it appears these two teams will probably avoid each other in the Semi Finals, which means we could possibly be looking at a Grand Final rehearsal right here. The game is loaded with stars and a number of exciting match-ups. The Saints have been a bit up and down at the offensive end lately, however their defence is definitely on the up, especially whenever Sunday Dech takes to the court and lifts his team with sheer tenacity. For the Hawks, they too haven’t been at their complete best, especially in the first half of their games, but when they get going and start scoring in transition it is incredibly fun to watch. This promises to be an epic encounter and hopefully the Hawke’s Bay faithful turn up in big numbers.
HAWKS
Starting 5
6. Jarrod Kenny (guard)
15. Brandon Bowman (forward)
12. Ethan Rusbatch (guard)
25. EJ Singler (forward)
14. Daniel Kickert (forward)
Bench
3. Nick Fee (guard)
5. Everard Bartlett (guard)
13. Dion Prewster (guard)
7. Darryl Jones (forward)
11. Jamal Mikaio (forward)
9. James Levings (guard)
21. Geoff Heather (forward)
Coach: Zico Coronel
Assistant: Morgan Maskell
Assistant: Rob Hartley
Manager: Jordan Wise
Physio: Colin Tutchen
From The Coach – Zico Coronel
When Nadal plays the likes of Maden or Nishikori he serves, and it is not returned. However, when he plays the likes of Federer or Djokovic, the two combatants take each other to a higher level. Their matches are replete with brilliant returns, miraculous chase downs and exhilarating rallies. The great champions flourish in the competitive theatre co-constructed with their peers. So it is with basketball. Hopefully our pursuit of excellent habits has us adequately prepared for the challenge that arguably the most stacked roster in NZ NBL history will provide.
SAINTS
Starting 5
55. Shae Ili (guard)
11. Jordan Ngatai (guard/forward)
7. Reuben Te Rangi (forward)
2. Nick Kay (forward)
14. Rob Loe (centre)
Bench
15. Leon Henry (forward)
3. Sunday Dech (guard)
13. Anzac Rissetto (centre)
9. Theo Johnson (forward)
10. Thomas Abercrombie (forward)
Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant: Kenny McFadden
Assistant: Troy McLean
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: Jamie Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
What a great challenge we have this weekend starting with the Hawks on their floor where they're unbeaten this year. They have been playing some great hoops. The Bowman addition has been great for them but he is not the only threat we have to be wary of. We are still searching for more consistent offence but I like the defensive pressure we have been able to sustain. Who knows which way this will go but I'm guessing it will be a fun game to watch.
Manawatu Jets vs Nelson Giants - Sunday @ Central Trust Arena at 3pm
Game Preview
It’s been a frustrating season for both the Jets and Giants and no doubt when they reflect on 2019 they will look at a number of close losses that have ended up being pivotal to their respective places on the ladder. The Giants have been shuffling the deck chairs a little of late with Kruz Perrott-Hunt starting to emerge as a legitimate NBL player, which has led to a number of exciting games by the young star. The Jets looked very competitive against the Saints last round, but predictably dropped away when the game went to the next level in the second half. It’s a second game for the round for the Jets and they will need Knight, Samuel and Ellenson all at their best, while getting Iverson back on court will help.
JETS
Starting 5
10. Jackson Stubbins (guard)
40. Daishon Knight (guard)
3. Wally Ellenson (guard/forward)
31. Kuran Iverson (forward)
50. Shane Temara (forward/centre)
Bench
5. Taane Samuel (forward)
15. Troy Temara (forward/centre)
Tia Temata-Frost
4. Haize Walker (guard)
Jake McKinlay
Coach: Tim McTamney
Assistant: Terry Tanoa
Assistant: Josh Reeves
Manager: Jason Pearn
From The Coach – Tim McTamney
We were disappointed with fading in the 4th quarter against Saints on Sunday. To lead at half-time and be within striking distance at three quarter time was a credit to my young team. However, close enough is never enough, and we will be looking to produce two full 40 minute efforts this week, starting with the Rangers this Thursday night in Auckland and then home for a Sunday clash with the improving Giants. It promises to be a busy week of basketball.
GIANTS
Starting 5
2. Jordair Jett (guard)
11. Daniel Grida (guard)
24. Tyrell Harrison (centre)
25. Rhys Vague (forward)
10. Samuel Dempster (forward)
Bench
6. Ali Granger (guard)
9. Tom Ingham (guard)
26. Bronson Beri (forward)
55. Kruz Perrott-Hunt (guard)
14. Mika Vukona (forward)
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Assistant: Phill Jones
Manager: Andrew Stevens
Physio: Ashlee Lusty
From The Coach – Mike Fitchett
It has been a long time since we have played the Manawatu Jets. The Jets are a quality side who have been very unlucky not to have more wins this season. We are looking to add a second road win for the season and know that this will be tough to get in Palmerston North
Wellington Saints vs Canterbury Rams - Sunday @ TSB Bank Arena at 5pm
Broadcast: live from 7pm on SKY Sports, Stuff.co.nz, TribeSportsApp, www.pickandroll.com.au (AUS only)
Game Preview
It’s the second big game of the round for the Saints and if they can get past both the Hawks and Rams, which will take their winning streak to 15 games, then there is no doubt they will head to the Final 4 on July 20/21 as they undisputed favourites to win it all. Interestingly the Hawks and Rams pose two totally different game plans for the Saints to tackle. While the Hawks are red-hot at the offensive end, the Rams are the league’s best defensive teams and will arrive in the nation’s capital eager to turn the screws on the league leaders.
SAINTS
Starting 5
55. Shae Ili (guard)
11. Jordan Ngatai (guard/forward)
7. Reuben Te Rangi (forward)
2. Nick Kay (forward)
14. Rob Loe (centre)
Bench
15. Leon Henry (forward)
3. Sunday Dech (guard)
13. Anzac Rissetto (centre)
9. Theo Johnson (forward)
10. Thomas Abercrombie (forward)
8. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (guard)
21. James Cawthorn (guard)
Coach: Paul Henare
Assistant: Kenny McFadden
Assistant: Troy McLean
Manager: Phil Hartley
Physio: Jamie Beleski
From The Coach – Paul Henare
We finish our tough double header at home to the Rams who will be ready and waiting for us. They have been very consistent all year and tough at the defensive end. So far our group has responded well when having to back up the next night and travel on the day of the game but this will test our mental resilience more then any other weekend so far. This one might not be pretty but both teams will be throwing everything they have at it.
RAMS
Starting 5
4. Emmett Naar (guard)
3. Cam Gliddon (guard)
25. Tony Tolovae (guard)
17. Isaiah Wilkins (forward)
44. Mike Karena (forward)
Bench
1. Luke Aston (guard)
5. Taylor Britt (guard)
10. Sam Smith (guard)
30. Toby Gillooly (guard)
9. Jonathan Janssen (forward)
45. Brent Fisher (forward)
24. Alex Talma (forward)
Coach: Mick Downer
Assistant: Terry Brunel
Assistant: Piet Van Hasselt
Manager: Raewyn Britt
Physio: Lidia Belles
From The Coach – Mick Downer
At the time of writing both teams are preparing for their respective first games of a two game weekend, but I know both teams are looking forward to this contest. The Saints jumped us at home very early in the season and we have been looking forward to a return match since as we have grown significantly as a team since this date. With a finals spot guaranteed for both teams and less than a month to go until the final four weekend in Christchurch it’s a blessing to play against the Saints again. They are obviously very well coached and have an experienced roster which will defend hard. We are looking at continuing to improve as a team on both sides of the ball. Playing great players is a great way to test our defensive rules and challenge our ball and player movement offensively. Fans should be treated to a high quality game, so sit back and enjoy.
