NBL Round 14 (Regular Season): Rams keep a leadership position

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rams as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rams smashed 4th ranked Saints in Christchurch 110-85. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field). American forward KJ Buffen (203-2000, college: UAB, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for the winners. American guard Terry Henderson Jr (196-1994, college: NC State) replied with 13 points and 8 rebounds for Saints. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rams (14-2) have an impressive 13-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Saints at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. Saints will play next round against Nuggets trying to get back on the winning streak. Rams will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Jets in Palmerston North.
Bottom-ranked Sharks managed to get a second victory, breaking the three-game losing streak. This time they won against ninth-ranked Whai in Southland 93-82. Center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Caleb Asberry chipped in 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Whai's coach Matt Lacey rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sharks (2-14) moved-up to tenth place. Whai lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Nuggets. Sharks will play against higher ranked Giants (#6) in Stoke in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Whai will play at home against Bulls and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Tamatea supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Saints (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (6-10). Saints smashed Hawks 117-91 on Thursday. Ben Ayre notched a double-double by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the effort. Even 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by Isaiah Moore did not help to save the game for Hawks. Saints maintains fourth position with 11-6 record. Hawks lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with ten games lost. Saints will meet at home Nuggets (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Hawks will play against Airs and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 14: Nuggets were smashed by Tuatara on the road 102-70. Bottom-ranked Jets were destroyed by Giants on its own court 77-104. Whai managed to outperform Nuggets in Tauranga 66-59. Bulls recorded a loss to Airs at home 96-100.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 26 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by Samuel Timmins of Bulls.



Tuatara - Nuggets 102-70

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Tuatara (14-3) crushed 7th ranked Nuggets (6-11) in Auckland 102-70 on Wednesday. Tuatara forced 19 Nuggets turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) notched 18 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and guard Braydon Iuli (193-2003, college: Menlo) supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Tuatara players scored in double figures. Even 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by American guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) did not help to save the game for Nuggets. His fellow American import Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Nuggets' coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Tuatara maintains second position with 14-3 record having just one point less than leader Rams. Nuggets lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Whai. Tuatara will meet Bulls (#5) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Saints in Wellington and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: Z.Darko-Kelly 19+6reb+7ast, K.Lawrence 11+5reb+4ast, D.Knox 9+4reb+2ast, J.Andrew 9+5reb, M.Bardsley 8+4reb, R.Coman 8+5reb+1ast
Tuatara: T.Cooper 20+2reb+2ast, B.Iuli 20+6reb+5ast, C.Dalton 19+2reb+1ast, R.Loe 18+9reb+7ast, C.Gliddon 10+5reb+4ast, C.McIntosh 9+4reb+2ast

Hawks - Saints 91-117

The game in Tamatea supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Saints (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (6-10). Saints smashed Hawks 117-91 on Thursday. Saints made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) notched a double-double by scoring 29 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) supported him with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) did not help to save the game for Hawks. His fellow American import forward Josh Roberts (205-1999, college: Manhattan) added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Saints maintains fourth position with 11-6 record. Hawks lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with ten games lost. Saints will meet at home Nuggets (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Hawks will play against Airs and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 28+5reb+8ast, L.Sutherland 20+6reb+2ast, J.Roberts 15+14reb+3ast, K.Rasmussen 11+3reb+1ast, K.Treacher 9+2reb, J.Murphy 5+3reb
Saints: B.Ayre 29+5reb+11ast, T.Samuel 26+5reb+4ast, T.Smith-Milner 25+11reb+4ast, T.Henderson Jr. 21+6reb+3ast, S.Gold 5+2reb+1ast, M.Benlevi 5+2reb+1ast

Sharks - Whai 93-82

Bottom-ranked Sharks managed to get a second victory, breaking the three-game losing streak. This time they won against ninth-ranked Whai in Southland 93-82. Sharks dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Whai's 34. Sharks forced 19 Whai turnovers. Center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Caleb Asberry (190-2000, college: OK State) chipped in 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Te Tuhi Lewis (190-2003) scored 15 points. Whai's coach Matt Lacey rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sharks (2-14) moved-up to tenth place. Whai lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Nuggets. Sharks will play against higher ranked Giants (#6) in Stoke in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Whai will play at home against Bulls and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Whai: P.Carr 23+11reb+4ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 15+2reb, J.Bezzant 12+3reb+1ast, C.Hopoi 8+1reb, K.Perrott-Hunt 7+6reb+2ast, D.Brooke 6
Sharks: C.Asberry 27+5reb+5ast, C.McRae 21+16reb+6ast, A.Burton 15+2reb, C.Robb 13+5reb+3ast, B.Inger 12+4reb+1ast, S.Telfer 3+2reb+1ast

Rams - Saints 110-85

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rams as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rams smashed 4th ranked Saints in Christchurch 110-85. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field). American forward KJ Buffen (203-2000, college: UAB, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for the winners. Four Rams players scored in double figures. American guard Terry Henderson Jr (196-1994, college: NC State) replied with 13 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) added 11 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Saints. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rams (14-2) have an impressive 13-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Saints at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. Saints will play next round against Nuggets trying to get back on the winning streak. Rams will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Jets in Palmerston North.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Smith-Milner 14+3reb, T.Henderson Jr. 13+8reb+2ast, T.Thata 11+2reb+2ast, M.Benlevi 11+8reb, B.Ayre 9+1reb+7ast, C.Lovell 8+6reb+1ast
Rams: K.Buffen 33+8reb+3ast, L.Olbrich 32+11reb+5ast, T.Britt 18+3reb+11ast, T.Fahrensohn 10+1reb+1ast, M.Darling 5+6reb+1ast, K.Isaac 4+3reb

Jets - Giants 77-104

Very expected game when 11th ranked Jets (1-15) were smashed by sixth ranked Giants (8-9) in Palmerston North 104-77 on Saturday. Giants dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 44. They outrebounded Jets 45-28 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Giants looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. Guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) notched 21 points and 8 assists to lead the effort and forward Theo Akwuba (211-2000, college: Ole Miss) supported him with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Even 12 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists by guard Quashawn Lane (188, college: New Haven) did not help to save the game for Jets. Swingman Kahlil Whitney (198-2001, college: Kentucky, agency: Players Group) added 13 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Four Giants and five Jets players 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. Giants maintains sixth position with 8-9 record. Jets lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Giants will meet at home Sharks (#10) in the next round. Jets will play against the league's leader Rams and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Heron 17+1reb+1ast, J.Moors 15+4reb+1ast, K.Whitney 13+6reb+1ast, Q.Lane 12+5reb+8ast, L.Judd 10+8reb+1ast, C.Scott 6+5ast
Giants: D.Grida 22+5reb+2ast, K.Langley 21+3reb+8ast, T.Akwuba 16+14reb+1ast, S.Dempster 16+6reb, A.McNaught 8+5reb+5ast, A.Inwood 8+7reb+3ast

Nuggets - Whai 59-66

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Whai (6-11) won against 7th ranked Nuggets (6-11) in Dunedin 66-59 on Sunday. Whai made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Nuggets turnovers. American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) notched a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international guard Jayden Bezzant (188-1996, college: NW Nazarene) supported him with 17 points. Four Whai players scored in double figures. Whai's coach Matt Lacey used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) did not help to save the game for Nuggets. His fellow American import guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Whai moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated Nuggets. Nuggets lost third consecutive game. Whai will meet at home higher ranked Bulls (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Nuggets will play against Saints in Wellington and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: K.Lawrence 20+6reb+3ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 16+11reb+1ast, J.Andrew 11+9reb+2ast, J.Aitcheson 7+4reb+1ast, M.Bardsley 5+3reb+2ast, C.Smiler 0+2reb
Whai: J.Bezzant 17+4reb+3ast, P.Carr 16+10reb+3ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 12+2reb, D.Holland 10+5reb+2ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 5+2reb, D.Brooke 4+8reb

Bulls - Airs 96-100

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Bulls (10-5) lost to third ranked Airs (12-4) in Pukekohe 96-100 on Sunday. Airs made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. American Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) notched 30 points and 6 blocks to lead the effort and guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) supported him with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Minnie is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even a double-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) did not help to save the game for Bulls. American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) added 32 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Five Airs and four Bulls players scored in double figures. Airs have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 12-4 record having just two points less than leader Rams. Loser Bulls keep the fifth place with five games lost. Airs will meet at home league's leader Rams in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bulls will play against the league's second-placed Tuatara (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bulls: L.Muhammad 32+8reb+1ast, S.Timmins 26+11reb+5ast, J.Scott 12+1reb+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 12+10reb+3ast, L.Skinner 7+6reb+2ast, I.Davidson 5+1reb+1ast
Airs: E.Minnie 30+4reb+1ast, C.Davison 21+5reb+7ast, T.Cameron 15+7reb+4ast, Q.Bailey 12+5reb, D.Raukawa 12+4reb+5ast, N.Hill 6+3reb