NBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Nuggets lose to Bulls

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Nuggets (3-1) in Pukekohe on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by Bulls (4-0) 105-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Nuggets' 44. They outrebounded Nuggets 43-31 including 32 on the defensive glass. American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) fired 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Darrell Brantley chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bulls have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with one game lost. Bulls are looking forward to face Tuatara (#3) in Auckland in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Nuggets will play at home against Rams and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Sharks (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-54 loss to fourth ranked Tuatara (4-2) in Auckland. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Corey Webster contributed with 23 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds for Sharks. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tuatara moved-up to third place. Sharks at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Tuatara will play against league's leader Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sharks will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Sharks (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 88-73 loss to ninth ranked Whai (2-2) in Tauranga on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Vance Jackson who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side Callum McRae responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Whai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Sharks still closes the standings with six games lost. Whai will meet at home Airs (#5) in the next round. Sharks will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Jets were defeated by Giants in Stoke 92-77. Hawks lost to defending champion Rams at home 84-104. Airs lost to Saints on the opponent's court 86-103.



Giants - Jets 92-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Jets' (1-5) road loss to ninth ranked Giants (2-3) 77-92 on Wednesday. Giants forced 19 Jets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Jets' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 assists and 5 steals and Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) who added 19 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Five Giants players scored in double figures. Giants' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) responded with 29 points and forward Simon Lafaele (196-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds. Giants maintains ninth position with 2-3 record. Jets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Grida 19+5reb, D.Fotu 14+4reb+1ast, T.Akwuba 14+7reb, K.Langley 13+2reb+15ast, S.Dempster 12+4reb+2ast, J.Hayden 11+2reb+1ast
Jets: M.Heron 29+3reb+3ast, S.Campbell 22+5reb+1ast, L.Simon 12+16reb+2ast, C.Lachlan 6+1reb+1ast, J.Liam 4+4reb, L.Hikaia 4+4reb

Bulls - Nuggets 105-71

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Nuggets (3-1) in Pukekohe on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by Bulls (4-0) 105-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Nuggets' 44. They outrebounded Nuggets 43-31 including 32 on the defensive glass. American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) fired 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Darrell Brantley chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Five Bulls players scored in double figures. American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds and Australian swingman Ben Henshall (195-2004) added 18 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bulls have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with one game lost. Bulls are looking forward to face Tuatara (#3) in Auckland in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Nuggets will play at home against Rams and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bulls: L.Muhammad 25+6reb+4ast, E.Rusbatch 17+7reb, B.Darrell 16+9reb, S.Timmins 14+9reb, J.Scott 12+1reb+6ast, I.Davidson 9+4reb+2ast
Nuggets: K.Lawrence 26+9reb+2ast, H.Ben 18+10reb+7ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 15+3reb+6ast, D.Knox 4+1ast, A.Jack 4+4reb, B.Matthew 3+2reb

Tuatara - Sharks 94-54

Bottom-ranked Sharks (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-54 loss to fourth ranked Tuatara (4-2) in Auckland. They dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Sharks' 32. Tuatara had a 39-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Sharks' players. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) contributed with 23 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) replied with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds and American guard Caleb Asberry (190-2000, college: OK State) added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Sharks. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tuatara moved-up to third place. Sharks at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Tuatara will play against league's leader Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sharks will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: T.Vodanovich 23+8reb, R.Loe 23+14reb+4ast, C.Webster 23+4reb+7ast, R.Te Rangi 6+8reb+10ast, N.Barrow 4+4reb+2ast, C.Gliddon 4+6reb
Sharks: C.Asberry 12+6reb+3ast, C.McRae 11+14reb+1ast, H.Benjamin 10+1reb+2ast, L.Vick 8+8reb, M.Lotts 7+10reb+1ast, S.Riley 3+3reb

Hawks - Rams 84-104

There was a small surprise in Tamatea where eighth ranked Rams (2-2) smashed 6th ranked Hawks (2-2) 104-84 on Saturday. Rams dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Hawks' 36 and made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard MJ Walker (196-1998, college: FSU) who added 26 points and 8 assists during the contest. Rams' coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) responded with 23 points and 9 assists and the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (200-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Five Hawks players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Hawks. Rams will meet higher ranked Nuggets (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hawks will play against the league's second-placed Saints in Wellington and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rams: L.Olbrich 35+7reb+4ast, M.Walker 26+4reb+8ast, T.Aidan 12+6reb+1ast, B.Kenyon 9+6reb, T.Britt 7+3reb+5ast, I.Kaia 7+6reb+1ast
Hawks: I.Moore 23+4reb+9ast, J.Ngatai 20+6reb+1ast, L.Sutherland 14+8reb+4ast, K.Rasmussen 13+4reb+2ast, J.Roberts 10+11reb, K.Kobe 2+1reb+1ast

Saints - Airs 103-86

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Airs' (2-2) road loss to fourth ranked Saints (4-1) 86-103 on Sunday. Saints forced 21 Airs turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals and international guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) who added 27 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. Five Saints players scored in double figures. At the losing side Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds and international guard Flynn Cameron (196-2000, college: UC Riverside) scored 22 points and 9 rebounds. Saints moved-up to second place. Loser Airs keep the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Saints will meet at home Hawks (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Airs will play against Whai in Tauranga and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 27+5reb+4ast, H.Harris 23+14reb+8ast, L.Mayen 19+2reb+1ast, M.Benlevi 13+6reb+1ast, T.Smith-Milner 11+5reb+3ast, B.Ayre 8+1reb+8ast
Airs: S.Froling 22+11reb+2ast, F.Cameron 22+9reb+3ast, E.Minnie 16+8reb, T.Cameron 9+1reb+1ast, D.Raukawa 7+1reb+2ast, Q.Bailey 5+2reb+1ast

Whai - Sharks 88-73

Bottom-ranked Sharks (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 88-73 loss to ninth ranked Whai (2-2) in Tauranga on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Vance Jackson (206-1997, college: ECU) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Demarcus Holland (193-1994, college: Texas) who added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Holland is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and American Lagerald Vick (196-1997, college: Kansas) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. Five Whai and four Sharks players scored in double figures. Whai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Sharks still closes the standings with six games lost. Whai will meet at home Airs (#5) in the next round. Sharks will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Whai: V.Jackson 19+9reb+3ast, T.Jett 14+3reb+2ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 13+4reb+3ast, D.Holland 12+6reb+8ast, D.Brooke 12+5reb, P.Carr 12+11reb+2ast
Sharks: L.Vick 21+7reb+3ast, C.McRae 17+11reb+5ast, M.Lotts 10+13reb+6ast, H.Benjamin 10+3reb+2ast, T.Scott 8+1reb, C.Asberry 7+5reb+2ast