NBL Round 13 (Regular Season): Rams edge Giants by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Giants (7-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Rams (13-2) in Stoke on Thursday. The visitors from Christchurch managed to secure only two-point victory 97-95. However their fans expected much easier game. Rams made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) chipped in 11 points and 8 assists. American guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) produced 32 points and 6 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rams have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Giants at the other side dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Saints (#4) in Wellington in the next round. Giants will play on the road against Jets in Palmerston North and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Leader Rams delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 10th ranked Jets (1-14) 107-66 in Christchurch. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). KJ Buffen contributed with 23 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Kahlil Whitney (198-2001, college: Kentucky, agency: Players Group) answered with 21 points for Jets. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Jets lost their thirteenth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Sharks. Rams will play against Saints (#4) in Wellington in the next round. Jets will play at home against Giants (#6) to get more than just one victory in their record.
The game in Dunedin was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Airs (11-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Nuggets (6-9). Airs defeated Nuggets 101-88 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. Carlin Davison stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Zaccheus Darko-Kelly responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Nuggets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Airs moved-up to third place. Loser Nuggets dropped to the seventh position with nine games lost. They share it with Hawks. Airs will meet Bulls (#5) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Whai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Airs crushed Sharks in New Plymouth 94-61. Hawks were smashed by Giants at home 69-96. Whai was destroyed by Tuatara on the opponent's court 100-77. Saints unfortunately lost to Bulls in a home game 109-113.
The best stats of 13th round was 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa of Saints.



Nuggets - Airs 88-101

The game in Dunedin was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Airs (11-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Nuggets (6-9). Airs defeated Nuggets 101-88 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and the former international guard Tobias Cameron (196-1999, college: ACU) chipped in 20 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) scored 29 points and 6 rebounds. Five Airs and four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Nuggets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Airs moved-up to third place. Loser Nuggets dropped to the seventh position with nine games lost. They share it with Hawks. Airs will meet Bulls (#5) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Whai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: K.Lawrence 29+6reb+3ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 24+11reb+5ast, M.Bardsley 14+4reb+2ast, D.Knox 10+7reb+5ast, B.Henshall 7+4reb+1ast, R.Coman 2+2reb+2ast
Airs: C.Davison 26+11reb+2ast, T.Cameron 20+8reb+3ast, E.Minnie 16+3reb+1ast, M.McCarron 13+5reb+10ast, F.Cameron 13+7reb+7ast, D.Raukawa 5+1ast

Giants - Rams 95-97

Eighth-ranked Giants (7-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Rams (13-2) in Stoke on Thursday. The visitors from Christchurch managed to secure only two-point victory 97-95. However their fans expected much easier game. Rams made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) chipped in 11 points and 8 assists. Five Rams players scored in double figures. American guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) produced 32 points and 6 assists and Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) added 21 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rams have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Giants at the other side dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Saints (#4) in Wellington in the next round. Giants will play on the road against Jets in Palmerston North and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Giants: K.Langley 32+4reb+6ast, D.Fotu 21+5reb, D.Grida 21+9reb, A.McNaught 7+4reb+2ast, T.Ingham 5+1reb, S.Dempster 5+8reb
Rams: L.Olbrich 27+17reb+4ast, K.Isaac 14+3reb, W.Brown 13+6reb+2ast, M.Walker 12+2ast, T.Britt 11+4reb+8ast, K.Buffen 10+4reb+1ast

Sharks - Airs 61-94

There was no surprise in Southland where 11th ranked Sharks (1-14) were crushed by fourth ranked Airs (11-4) 94-61 on Friday. Airs made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. Airs had a 35-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) stepped up and scored 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners and international guard Flynn Cameron (196-2000, college: UC Riverside) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Four Airs players scored in double figures. At the losing side center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Caleb Asberry (190-2000, college: OK State) scored 15 points and 5 assists. 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. Airs moved-up to third place. Sharks lost their third game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. They share it with Jets. Airs will meet Bulls (#5) in the next round. Sharks will play against Whai (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sharks: C.McRae 18+11reb+3ast, C.Asberry 15+2reb+5ast, A.Burton 10+2reb, A.Wheeler 6+1reb, B.Inger 5+4reb+1ast, B.Hall 3+3reb
Airs: S.Froling 31+6reb+4ast, F.Cameron 16+7reb+3ast, C.Davison 12+9reb+5ast, E.Minnie 12+4reb, T.Cameron 8+4reb+2ast, D.Raukawa 5+1reb+2ast

Rams - Jets 107-66

Leader Rams delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 10th ranked Jets (1-14) 107-66 in Christchurch. Rams outrebounded Jets 48-27 including a 37-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Rams players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward KJ Buffen (203-2000, college: UAB, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 23 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Five Rams players scored in double figures. American swingman Kahlil Whitney (198-2001, college: Kentucky, agency: Players Group) answered with 21 points and power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) added 15 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Jets. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-2 record. Jets lost their thirteenth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Sharks. Rams will play against Saints (#4) in Wellington in the next round. Jets will play at home against Giants (#6) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Jets: K.Whitney 21+4reb+1ast, J.Moors 15+7reb+2ast, M.Heron 14+2reb+2ast, Q.Lane 5+3reb+8ast, S.Lafaele 4+3reb, L.Judd 4+5reb+1ast
Rams: K.Buffen 23+6reb, T.Britt 16+6reb+7ast, K.Isaac 15+5reb+1ast, W.Brown 13+2ast, M.Walker 12+2reb+3ast, L.Olbrich 11+11reb+3ast

Hawks - Giants 69-96

There was a small surprise in Tamatea where eighth ranked Giants (7-9) smashed 6th ranked Hawks (6-9) 96-69 on Saturday. Giants made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. American guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) stepped up and scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds. Five Giants players scored in double figures. Giants' coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) responded with 27 points and 4 assists and the other American import forward Josh Roberts (205-1999, college: Manhattan) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds. Giants moved-up to sixth place. Loser Hawks dropped to the seventh position with nine games lost. They share it with Nuggets. Giants will meet Jets (#10) in the next round. Hawks will play against Saints and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 27+4reb+4ast, J.Ngatai 18+5reb+1ast, J.Roberts 11+14reb+1ast, L.Sutherland 6+4reb+2ast, K.Rasmussen 3+5reb+3ast, K.Kara 3+3reb+1ast
Giants: D.Grida 18+2reb, A.McNaught 16+2reb+2ast, K.Langley 15+6reb+6ast, D.Fotu 15+10reb+2ast, T.Akwuba 12+9reb+1ast, N.Davidson 9+6reb

Tuatara - Whai 100-77

Very expected game in Auckland where 9th ranked Whai (5-10) was rolled over by second ranked Tuatara (13-3) 100-77 on Sunday. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 assists for the winners and the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Demarcus Holland (193-1994, college: Texas) scored 14 points and 7 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. 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 maintains second place with 13-3 record having just one point less than leader Rams. Whai lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. Tuatara will meet at home Nuggets (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Whai will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Whai: P.Carr 19+11reb+2ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 15+4reb, D.Holland 14+3reb+7ast, J.Bezzant 10+2reb+2ast, D.Brooke 10+6reb+2ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 5+1ast
Tuatara: B.Iuli 19+2reb+2ast, R.Loe 18+8reb+4ast, C.Webster 17+1reb+13ast, C.Dalton 14+4reb+1ast, C.Gliddon 12+8reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 10+6reb+2ast

Saints - Bulls 109-113

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Wellington where fifth ranked Bulls (9-4) beat 4th placed Saints (10-4) 113-109 on Sunday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 42. They outrebounded Saints 51-30 including a 35-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Lee Skinner (198-1992, college: Wofford) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 27 points and 5 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side international guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) responded with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Bulls maintains fifth place with 9-4 record. Loser Saints keep the fourth position with four games lost. Bulls will meet at home higher ranked Airs (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Saints will play against the league's leader Rams in Christchurch and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saints: I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 35+6reb+4ast, B.Ayre 22+5ast, T.Samuel 21+6reb+1ast, T.Smith-Milner 18+6reb+4ast, T.Henderson Jr. 11+3reb, M.Benlevi 2+8reb+2ast
Bulls: L.Muhammad 27+5reb+1ast, L.Skinner 24+14reb+2ast, J.Scott 20+4reb+6ast, I.Davidson 15+4reb+1ast, S.Timmins 14+12reb+6ast, E.Rusbatch 9+1reb+1ast