NBL Round 13: Hawks edge Saints by two points

Ira Lee

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in NBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 13 in the NBL took place in Tamatea. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Saints (7-9) to eighth ranked Hawks (6-10) 87-85 on Saturday evening. American forward Ira Lee (203-1998, college: Arizona) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. Australian guard Kyle Adnam (186-1993) produced 15 points and 6 assists for lost side. Hawks moved-up to seventh place. Saints lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with nine games lost. Hawks are looking forward to face league's leader Tuatara in Auckland in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Saints will play at home against Jets (#9) and are hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Dunedin. Third ranked Nuggets faced their biggest opponent Bulls. Host Nuggets (11-5) defeated guests from Pukekohe (11-5) 86-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Bulls. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian guard Michael Harris (193-1999) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!). Todd Withers contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) answered with 13 points and 7 rebounds for Bulls. Nuggets have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Bulls. Nuggets will play against Giants (#6) in Stoke in the next round. Bulls will play at home against Airs (#8) and hope to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Auckland. First ranked Tuatara faced 4th placed Rams. Host Tuatara (13-3) smashed guests from Christchurch (9-6) 104-81. Robert Loe stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. At the losing side Maxwell Darling responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tuatara have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 13-3 record. Rams at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. Tuatara will meet Hawks (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Rams will play against Jets in Palmerston North and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tuatara defeated Airs in Auckland 108-94. Sharks were smashed by Bulls at home 72-102. Jets lost to Giants on the opponent's court 87-92.
The best stats of 13th round was 28 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by Jarrad Weeks of Tuatara.