NBL Round 2 (Regular Season): Airs lose to Tauranga

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.

The most important game of round 2 took place in Tauranga where Tauranga crushed Airs 87-65 on Saturday night. Whai made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Whai outrebounded Airs 39-21 including a 33-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Xanda Marsters (188-2006) scored 24 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. Tauranga's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Aaron Cook (188-1997, college: Georgia) responded with 12 points and 9 assists. Airs will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest. Tauranga will try to continue on its current victory against Nuggets in Dunedin.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 2: winless Hawks lost to Airs on the opponent's court 84-93. Nuggets managed to outperform Giants in a home game 86-77. Sharks managed to beat Bulls on the road 94-86. Winless Hawks were defeated by Jets on its own court 102-109. Sharks lost to undefeated Tuatara in Auckland 72-91.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 17 points and 14 rebounds by Chris Johnson of Tuatara.



Airs - Hawks 93-84

Very expected game in New Plymouth where Hawks were defeated by Airs 93-84 on Tuesday. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard Aaron Cook (188-1997, college: Georgia) had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 14 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 18 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (197-1998) responded with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian guard Kyle Adnam (186-1993) scored 15 points and 6 assists. Five Airs and four Hawks players scored in double figures. Airs will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play at home against Rams and are hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Airs: M.Jones 18+13reb+1ast, C.Aaron 17+3reb+14ast, T.Samuel 15+4reb+3ast, L.Vea 13+10reb+3ast, G.Xavier 10+4reb, R.Tuuta 8+2reb+2ast
Hawks: D.Grida 23+9reb+5ast, K.Rasmussen 18+3reb+3ast, A.Kyle 15+4reb+6ast, A.Burton 11+3reb+2ast, M.Jacob 6+2reb, F.Tommy 5+8reb+1ast

Nuggets - Giants 86-77

Very predictable result in Dunedin where Nuggets defeated Giants 86-77 on Wednesday. 24 personal fouls committed by Giants helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American swingman Buay Tuach (198-1995, college: LMU, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Haitian-Canadian guard Alain Louis (185-1998, college: Carleton) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Nuggets' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (191-2000, college: S.Dakota) responded with 26 points and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. Nuggets is looking forward to face Whai in Tauranga in the next round. Giants will play at home against Saints and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: T.Buay 21+7reb+3ast, L.Alain 18+5reb+5ast, R.Ethan 14+2reb+1ast, I.Miller-Jose 14+10reb, C.Martin 6+4reb, M.Bardsley 5+2reb+2ast
Giants: K.Perrott-Hunt 26+9reb+3ast, T.Smith-Milner 23+10reb+2ast, D.Samuel 10+12reb+2ast, L.Judd 7+3reb, M.Alexander 5+3reb+4ast, N.Joshua 2+1reb

Bulls - Sharks 86-94

There was a minor upset in Pukekohe where Bulls were defeated by Sharks 94-86 on Thursday. Sharks dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Bulls' 30. Sharks had a 37-24 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Bulls helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) had a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Rylan Jones (183-2000, college: Samford) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. American guard Jace Carter (198-2003, college: Texas A&M) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks and his fellow American import guard Carter Whitt (190-2002, college: Belmont) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Bulls' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bulls will play at home against Rams and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Sharks: T.Samuel 26+19reb+10ast, J.Rylan 15+10reb+3ast, M.Stodart 13+8reb+3ast, Q.Webster 12+1ast, D.Bertinshaw 10+2reb, T.Cooper 9+3reb+5ast
Bulls: J.Carter 24+10reb+4ast, G.Jaylen 17+2reb+3ast, D.Boyd 15+4reb+5ast, C.Whitt 15+11reb+9ast, H.Payton 6, N.Kenechukwu 4+2reb

Hawks - Jets 102-109

There was a small surprise in Tamatea where Jets beat Hawks 109-102 on Friday. Jets outrebounded Hawks 45-31 including 16 on the offensive glass. Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Hawks helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Kaden Sand (198-2001, college: Bushnell) had a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Jamal Poplar (204-1996, college: Seward County) chipped in 24 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Poplar is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (197-1998) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and international guard Jackson Ball (191-2008) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Hawks' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Jets is looking forward to face Tuatara in Auckland in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hawks will play at home against Rams and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Jets: S.Kaden 39+10reb+5ast, J.Poplar 24+8reb+2ast, H.Zahran 17+6reb+4ast, L.Richards 13+12reb+1ast, B.Caldwell 10+5reb+1ast, J.Evans 6+4reb+9ast
Hawks: D.Grida 33+7reb+1ast, K.Rasmussen 21+3reb+5ast, B.Jackson 19+7reb+4ast, A.Kyle 11+2reb+7ast, B.III Clifton 6+1reb+2ast, A.Burton 6+3reb+2ast

Whai - Airs 87-65

The most important game of round 2 took place in Tauranga where Tauranga crushed Airs 87-65 on Saturday night. Whai made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Whai outrebounded Airs 39-21 including a 33-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Xanda Marsters (188-2006) scored 24 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. Four Tauranga players scored in double figures. Tauranga's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Aaron Cook (188-1997, college: Georgia) responded with 12 points and 9 assists and naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Airs will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest. Tauranga will try to continue on its current victory against Nuggets in Dunedin.
Top scorers:
Whai: X.Marsters 24+8reb+3ast, M.Taine 22+9reb+1ast, B.Jayden 18+2reb+4ast, N.Tata 10+6reb+1ast, C.Hopoi 5+2reb+1ast, G.Hoeata 3+5reb+1ast
Airs: S.Taane 14+3reb+2ast, J.Marcel 13+6reb+1ast, A.Cook 12+3reb+9ast, V.Luka 9+3reb, A.Zavier 7+2reb+2ast, B.Quintin 6+4reb

Tuatara - Sharks 91-72

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Sharks' road loss to Tuatara 72-91 on Saturday. Tuatara outrebounded Sharks 51-36 including a 38-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tuatara made 8 blocks. American guard Josh Dilling (193-2001, college: NKU) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) chipped in 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds and American point guard Rylan Jones (183-2000, college: Samford) scored 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tuatara is looking forward to face Jets in Palmerston North in the next round where they are favorite. Sharks will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: Z.Riley 22+6reb+6ast, D.Josh 22+3reb+11ast, J.Chris 17+14reb, V.Thomas 10+5reb+1ast, K.Ioane 7+10reb, L.Robert 6+6reb+3ast
Sharks: S.Timmins 17+16reb+3ast, C.TuKaha 14+1ast, C.Asberry 13+2reb+3ast, R.Jones 10+7reb+6ast, S.Mac 8+4reb, L.William 4+1reb