NBL Round 4 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Bulls defeat Giants

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the NBL and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

NBL top team - Bulls (4-1) managed to deliver another win on Friday. This time they beat tenth ranked Giants (0-3) in Nelson 94-83. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Tae Hardy (190-1998, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and Australian forward David Okwera (208-2002) who added 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Brice Johnson (206-1994, college: UNC, agency: DBA Reed) responded with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Bulls maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with Whai. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Tuatara. Bulls will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Giants will play on the road against Tuatara (#11) in Auckland and hope to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Tuatara (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to third ranked Tauranga (4-1) 78-76. The winners were led by American point guard Chris Jones (178-1991, college: Louisville, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored that evening 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Sean Bairstow supported him with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Even 31 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists by American swingman Buay Tuach (198-1995, college: LMU, agency: Haylett Sports) did not help to save the game for Tuatara. Tauranga have a solid three-game winning streak. Whai keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Bulls. Tuatara at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Giants. Whai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play at home against Giants (#10) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Third ranked Tauranga blasted bottom-ranked Panthers (0-4) in Auckland 102-73 on Friday evening. Panthers is still unable to win any game. Sean Bairstow fired a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Alex Robinson produced 18 points 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. Tauranga have a solid three-game winning streak. Whai (4-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Bulls. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 4 Sharks were destroyed by Saints on the opponent's court 122-83. Nuggets managed to outperform Jets in a home game 108-104.



Whai - Tuatara 78-76

Bottom-ranked Tuatara (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to third ranked Tauranga (4-1) 78-76. Whai made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American point guard Chris Jones (178-1991, college: Louisville, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored that evening 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) supported him with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Four Tauranga players scored in double figures. Even 31 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists by American swingman Buay Tuach (198-1995, college: LMU, agency: Haylett Sports) did not help to save the game for Tuatara. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) added 13 points for lost side. Tauranga have a solid three-game winning streak. Whai keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Bulls. Tuatara at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Giants. Whai will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play at home against Giants (#10) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: B.Tuach 31+9reb+5ast, T.Vodanovich 13+4reb, J.Wylie 9+6reb+2ast, M.Dalton 5+3reb+2ast, N.Barrow 4+3reb, C.Pride 4+5reb
Whai: C.Jones 26+9reb+4ast, T.Zanna 15+5reb+1ast, S.Bairstow 14+8reb+3ast, C.Hopoi 11+5reb+1ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 4+3reb, X.Marsters 3+4reb

Saints - Sharks 122-83

Everything could happen in Wellington at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked Saints and 8th ranked Sharks had identical 1-1 record. This time Saints used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Southland 122-83 on Wednesday night. Saints shot 61.4 percent from the field and made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 20 long-distance shots on high 54.1 percentage. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. Australian swingman Nick Marshall (198-1999, college: Clarke) fired 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Saints players scored in double figures. American forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) produced 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) and his fellow American import guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) added 18 points, 5 assists and 4 steals 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. Saints (2-1) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Rams and Airs. Loser Sharks dropped to the ninth position with two games lost. Saints will meet Rams (#5) in the next round. Sharks will play against Jets (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sharks: J.Allick 22+9reb, C.Asberry 18+2reb+5ast, K.Boone 10+4reb+4ast, A.Burton 9+1reb+2ast, J.Helu 8+2reb+7ast, T.Cooper 7+2reb+2ast
Saints: N.Marshall 35+6reb, R.Dougall-Mita 20+1reb, S.Bruce 17+4reb+8ast, H.Harris 12+11reb+8ast, N.Muszynski 10+5reb+2ast, I.Le'afa 9+3reb+10ast

Nuggets - Jets 108-104

There was a surprise result in Dunedin where ninth ranked Nuggets (2-2) defeated one of their biggest challengers Jets (2-2) 108-104 on Thursday. Nuggets looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Todd Withers (202-1996, college: Queens, NC) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. Guard Donald Carey (196-1999, college: Maryland) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists. Nuggets' coach Mike Kelly used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Miles Gibson (198-1998, college: Binghamton) produced 30 points and 7 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and Kenny Goins (201-1996, college: Michigan St., agency: Players Group) added 24 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Nuggets and five Jets players scored in double figures. Nuggets moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Jets. Nuggets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jets will play against Sharks (#9) in Southland and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Gibson 30+7reb+1ast, K.Goins 24+13reb+1ast, C.Webster 20+4reb+11ast, E.Williams Jr. 11+6reb+2ast, D.Russo-Nance 10+6reb+5ast, D.Collins 6+2reb
Nuggets: T.Withers 27+17reb+2ast, J.Perez 23+5reb+4ast, D.Carey 22+5reb+12ast, J.Janssen 15+3reb+1ast, P.Freeman 6+3reb, D.Knox 5+2reb+3ast

Panthers - Whai 73-102

Third ranked Tauranga blasted bottom-ranked Panthers (0-4) in Auckland 102-73 on Friday evening. Panthers is still unable to win any game. Whai forced 24 Panthers turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Panthers' players. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American point guard Chris Jones (178-1991, college: Louisville, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. American point guard Alex Robinson (185-1995, college: TCU) produced 18 points and Indian forward Aaron Blessen (192-2002) added 10 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Whai and four Panthers players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tauranga have a solid three-game winning streak. Whai (4-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Bulls. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Panthers: A.Robinson 18+4reb+2ast, J.Gerrand 16+2reb+2ast, D.Matakatea 12+4reb, A.Blessen 10+9reb+3ast, T.Singh 7+3reb+1ast, Z.Te Puni 4+6reb+1ast
Whai: S.Bairstow 19+11reb+6ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 19+2reb+2ast, C.Jones 17+6reb+5ast, T.Zanna 12+9reb+3ast, X.Marsters 10+4reb, J.Bezzant 10+1reb+4ast

Giants - Bulls 83-94

NBL top team - Bulls (4-1) managed to deliver another win on Friday. This time they beat tenth ranked Giants (0-3) in Nelson 94-83. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Tae Hardy (190-1998, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and Australian forward David Okwera (208-2002) who added 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Bulls players scored in double figures. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Brice Johnson (206-1994, college: UNC, agency: DBA Reed) responded with 18 points and 8 rebounds and Australian forward Callum Dalton (206-2000) scored 13 points and 6 assists. Bulls maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with Whai. Giants at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Tuatara. Bulls will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Giants will play on the road against Tuatara (#11) in Auckland and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Giants: B.Johnson 18+8reb+2ast, C.Dalton 13+3reb+6ast, J.Forbes 12, L.Crate 10+2ast, H.Jones 9+6reb+2ast, S.Dempster 8+7reb+2ast
Bulls: D.Okwera 21+6reb+2ast, T.Hardy 19+5reb+8ast, T.Gloger 17+7reb, F.Cameron 15+5reb+2ast, R.Te Rangi 14+3reb+1ast, T.Cameron 8+3reb+2ast