NBL Round 2: Nuggets keep a leadership position

- April 16, 2023

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Jaquori McLaughlin

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in NBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Nuggets defeated Sharks in Dunedin 76-68. American guard Jaquori McLaughlin (193-1998, college: UCSB, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) contributed with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Nuggets' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-1988, college: Bellarmine) replied with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Sharks. Sharks will play next round against strong Huskies trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against Airs in New Plymouth.
Hawks recorded a loss in Tamatea. Hosts were edged by Airs 95-93. American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) scored 21 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Anzac Rissetto chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Airs will play against Nuggets in Dunedin in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Hawks will play at home against Rams and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Stoke was also quite interesting. Bulls played at the court of Giants. Bulls defeated Giants 95-84 on Saturday. Tyrell Harrison notched a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks to lead the effort. Even 34 points (!!!) (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) by Avery Woodson did not help to save the game for Giants. Giants' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Bulls will meet at home Rams in the next round. Giants will play against Jets in Palmerston North and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: Bulls beat Saints on the road 92-86. Tuatara destroyed Airs on its own court 80-55. Jets managed to outperform Rams in Palmerston North 90-86.

Saints - Bulls 86-92

No shocking result in a game when Bulls beat Saints in Wellington 92-86 on Thursday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 32. The former international center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: St.Mary's, CA) supported him with 24 points and 4 assists. Even 20 points and 7 rebounds by the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) did not help to save the game for Saints. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) added 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Five Bulls and four Saints players scored in double figures. Bulls will meet at home Rams in the next round. Saints will play against Huskies and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Smith-Milner 20+7reb+3ast, T.Vodanovich 17+8reb+4ast, M.Taylor 17+6reb+2ast, T.Samuel 13+5reb+1ast, T.Kenneth 8+3reb+1ast, B.Carter 6
Bulls: D.Fotu 24+4reb+4ast, T.Harrison 19+13reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 18+3reb+5ast, R.McGill 14+4reb+3ast, I.Davidson 11+5reb, J.Brantley 6+5reb+3ast

Tuatara - Airs 80-55

Rather expected game when Airs were smashed by Huskies in Auckland 80-55 on Friday. Huskies outrebounded Airs 51-31 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Huskies made 9 blocks. Australian guard Jarrad Weeks (183-1989) notched 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) supported him with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. Huskies' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 12 points and 9 rebounds by American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) did not help to save the game for Airs. The former international power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) added 12 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Huskies will meet Saints in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Airs will play against Nuggets and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Airs: A.Rissetto 12+6reb+2ast, A.Fletcher 12+9reb, D.Azore 8+3reb+3ast, T.Scott 7+1reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 7+4reb, F.Benji 5+6reb
Tuatara: J.Weeks 19+7reb+7ast, R.Loe 17+12reb+2ast, N.Barrow 12+7reb+1ast, B.Thomas 9+3reb+2ast, C.Gliddon 9+2reb+3ast, M.Chris 5+7reb+2ast

Giants - Bulls 84-95

The game in Stoke was also quite interesting. Bulls played at the court of Giants. Bulls defeated Giants 95-84 on Saturday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Giants' 28. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Giants' players. The former international center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks to lead the effort and American forward Jamaal Brantley (198-1993, college: Cameron) supported him with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Brantley is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Bulls players scored in double figures. Even 34 points (!!!) (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) by American point guard Avery Woodson (188-1993, college: Butler) did not help to save the game for Giants. Forward Samuel Dempster (194-1990) added 9 points and 12 rebounds for the hosts. Giants' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Bulls will meet at home Rams in the next round. Giants will play against Jets in Palmerston North and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: A.Woodson 34+3reb+1ast, M.Maker 11+5reb+1ast, M.Alexander 11+2reb+3ast, S.Dempster 9+12reb, N.Trathen 8+3reb+1ast, T.Marsh 7+2reb+1ast
Bulls: T.Harrison 20+12reb+6ast, I.Davidson 20+4reb+3ast, R.McGill 16+3reb+3ast, J.Brantley 15+7reb+7ast, D.Kelman-Poto 11+6reb+2ast, L.Te Tuhi 10+2reb

Hawks - Airs 93-95

Hawks recorded a loss in Tamatea. Hosts were edged by Airs 95-93. They made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) scored 21 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and international power forward Jordan Hunt (206-1997, college: S.Oregon) scored 24 points and 5 rebounds. Five Airs and four Hawks players scored in double figures. Airs will play against Nuggets in Dunedin in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Hawks will play at home against Rams and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: H.Harris 25+10reb+7ast, J.Hunt 24+5reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 16+4reb+1ast, E.Rusbatch 12+6reb+1ast, D.Raukawa 8+1reb+1ast, J.Kenny 4+2reb+10ast
Airs: A.Fletcher 21+8reb+2ast, A.Rissetto 17+12reb+1ast, D.Azore 15+4reb+5ast, R.Rodger 12+4reb+8ast, Q.Bailey 11+8reb+2ast, F.Benji 10+1reb

Rams - Jets 86-90

There was a surprise result when Jets won against Rams in Christchurch 90-86 on Sunday. American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) notched 32 points to lead the effort and the other American import forward Danny Pippen (206-1997, college: Kent St.) supported him with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Even a double-double of 35 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-1998, college: Kentucky) did not help to save the game for Rams. American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) added 20 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Rams' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jets will meet at home Giants in the next round. Rams will play against Bulls in Pukekohe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Wynyard 35+14reb+4ast, T.Baxter Jr. 20+5reb, Q.Clinton 7+3ast, T.Brown 7+2reb+1ast, M.Darling 6+3reb, B.Walter 4+1reb+2ast
Jets: M.Heron 32+4reb+1ast, J.Blake 20+6reb+6ast, D.Pippen 18+16reb+2ast, J.Liam 7+5reb, L.Simon 7+7reb, M.Pafe 4+3ast

Nuggets - Sharks 76-68

Nuggets defeated Sharks in Dunedin 76-68. American guard Jaquori McLaughlin (193-1998, college: UCSB, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Nuggets' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jeremy Kendle (186-1988, college: Bellarmine) replied with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Alonzo Burton (193-1993, agency: IceBasket) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Sharks. Sharks will play next round against strong Huskies trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against Airs in New Plymouth.
Top scorers:
Sharks: J.Kendle 27+7reb+6ast, H.Benjamin 11+5reb, G.Anticevich 10+7reb, A.Burton 9+8reb+1ast, R.Gill 5+5reb+1ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 4+1reb+3ast
Nuggets: J.McLaughlin 25+6reb+6ast, S.Timmins 17+10reb+2ast, T.Withers 11+6reb+4ast, A.Jack 8+1reb, M.Harris 6+4reb+1ast, D.Knox 5

Tags : JAQUORI MCLAUGHLIN, OTAGO NUGGETS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL