NBL Round 15 (Regular Season): Airs lose to Rams in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in New Plymouth. 3rd placed host Airs (13-5) were smashed by first ranked Rams (16-2) 111-83. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Airs. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Airs helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) helped adding 14 points and 16 rebounds. Rams' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Rams have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 16-2 record. Airs at the other side keep the third position with five games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Airs will play at home against the league's second-placed Tuatara (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Sharks managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of three consecutive losses. This time they won against sixth-ranked Giants in Stoke 98-83. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 15-point difference proves that Sharks was well-prepared to that game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Giants. It was an exceptional evening for center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists. Caleb Asberry accounted for 25 points and 7 rebounds. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) came up with 40 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for Giants in the defeat. Sharks (2-14) moved-up to tenth place. Giants at the other side keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Sharks will play against league's leader Rams in Christchurch in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Giants will play at home against Nuggets (#9) and hope to get back on the winning track.
NBL top team - Rams (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Jets (1-16) in Palmerston North 121-94. The best player for the winners was Lachlan Olbrich who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Mustapha Heron who recorded 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The victory was the fifteenth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion maintains first place with 16-2 record. Jets lost their fifteenth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Rams will meet at home Sharks (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play against Hawks in Tamatea and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 15: Airs won against Hawks on the opponent's court 109-93. Whai managed to outperform Bulls in a home game 87-84. Nuggets were rolled over Saints on the road 106-80. Bulls were defeated by Tuatara on its own court 78-89.



Hawks - Airs 93-109

Very expected game in Tamatea where 7th ranked Hawks (6-11) were defeated by third ranked Airs (13-5) 109-93 on Wednesday. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) who scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Tobias Cameron (196-1999, college: ACU) chipped in 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Airs' coach let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 assists and the other American import forward Josh Roberts (205-1999, college: Manhattan) added 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Airs. They maintain third place with 13-5 record having just three points less than leader Rams. Hawks lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with 11 games lost. Airs will meet at home league's second-placed Tuatara in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hawks will play against Jets (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 22+1reb+12ast, J.Roberts 16+9reb+2ast, K.Rasmussen 15+3reb+1ast, K.Kara 11+5reb+3ast, K.Treacher 10+6reb+1ast, L.Sutherland 10+7reb+3ast
Airs: T.Cameron 23+6reb+4ast, C.Davison 20+8reb+6ast, S.Froling 17+9reb+2ast, E.Minnie 15+1reb+1ast, M.McCarron 11+4reb+5ast, Q.Bailey 7+7reb+2ast

Whai - Bulls 87-84

There was a surprise result in Tauranga where ninth ranked Whai (7-11) edged higher ranked Bulls (10-7) 87-84 on Thursday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) who scored 29 points and 9 rebounds. Guard Demarcus Holland (193-1994, college: Texas) chipped in 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Holland is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Joshua Scott (185-1998, college: Thomas Univ.) who recorded 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) added 23 points respectively. Four Bulls players scored in double figures. Whai moved-up to seventh place. Bulls lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with seven games lost. Whai will meet higher ranked Saints (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bulls will play against Hawks and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bulls: L.Muhammad 23+1reb+1ast, J.Scott 22+7reb+5ast, L.Skinner 14+4reb+1ast, S.Timmins 11+9reb+4ast, I.Davidson 9+3reb, D.Kelman-Poto 3+2reb+1ast
Whai: P.Carr 29+9reb, K.Perrott-Hunt 18+5reb, D.Holland 15+7reb+6ast, J.Bezzant 9+5ast, D.Brooke 7+4reb+1ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 5+2reb

Airs - Rams 83-111

The game between Top Four teams took place in New Plymouth. 3rd placed host Airs (13-5) were smashed by first ranked Rams (16-2) 111-83. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Airs. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Airs helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) helped adding 14 points and 16 rebounds. Five Rams players scored in double figures. Rams' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds and American Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Rams have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 16-2 record. Airs at the other side keep the third position with five games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Airs will play at home against the league's second-placed Tuatara (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Airs: E.Minnie 22+6reb+1ast, S.Froling 21+14reb+3ast, C.Davison 15+5reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 8+5reb+1ast, M.McCarron 6+1reb+5ast, D.Raukawa 5+3reb+1ast
Rams: T.Fahrensohn 23+2reb, T.Britt 18+5reb+11ast, K.Isaac 17+8reb+3ast, L.Olbrich 14+16reb+3ast, M.Darling 11+2reb+1ast, A.Tonge 10+5reb+1ast

Saints - Nuggets 106-80

Not a big story in a game in Wellington where 8th ranked Nuggets (6-12) were rolled over by fourth ranked Saints (12-6) 106-80 on Saturday. Saints made 24-of-31 free shots (77.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Nuggets turnovers. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 assists. American guard Terry Henderson Jr (196-1994, college: NC State) chipped in 25 points and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) who recorded 24 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) added 20 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four Nuggets 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. Saints maintains fourth place with 12-6 record. Nuggets lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 12 games lost. Saints will meet at home Whai (#7) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Giants in Stoke and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: K.Lawrence 24+5reb+3ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 20+5reb+2ast, M.Bardsley 10+7reb+2ast, J.Andrew 10+8reb+1ast, J.Aitcheson 7+2reb+1ast, R.Coman 5+3reb+1ast
Saints: B.Ayre 26+2reb+10ast, T.Henderson Jr. 25+4reb+3ast, T.Smith-Milner 21+9reb, R.Dougall-Mita 11+2reb, M.Benlevi 9+11reb, T.Samuel 6+3reb+4ast

Bulls - Tuatara 78-89

Everything went according to plan in Pukekohe where second ranked Tuatara (15-3) beat 5th ranked Bulls (10-7) 89-78 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Charlie Dalton (200-2004, college: CUI) chipped in 27 points. Four Tuatara players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) who recorded 41 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Isaac Davidson (198-1997, college: Sonoma St.) added 15 points respectively. The victory was the third consecutive win for Tuatara. They maintain second place with 15-3 record behind leader Rams. Bulls lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with seven games lost. Tuatara will meet Airs (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bulls will play against Hawks and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bulls: L.Muhammad 41+9reb+2ast, I.Davidson 15+4reb+3ast, L.Skinner 8+6reb, D.Kelman-Poto 5+6reb+1ast, J.Scott 4+3reb+1ast, H.Maile 3
Tuatara: C.Dalton 27+2reb+1ast, R.Loe 18+16reb+6ast, B.Iuli 18+3reb+6ast, T.Cooper 10+1reb, C.Gliddon 9+11reb+2ast, N.Barrow 4+3reb

Jets - Rams 94-121

NBL top team - Rams (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Jets (1-16) in Palmerston North 121-94. Rams dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 48 and made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Jets 46-20 including a 34-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Australian guard Kaia Isaac (185-2003) chipped in 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) who recorded 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) added 19 points respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the fifteenth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion maintains first place with 16-2 record. Jets lost their fifteenth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Rams will meet at home Sharks (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play against Hawks in Tamatea and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Heron 20+5reb+5ast, J.Moors 19+4reb+1ast, C.Scott 14+2reb, K.Whitney 12+2reb+2ast, Q.Lane 10+1reb+9ast, S.Lafaele 9+2reb+1ast
Rams: L.Olbrich 30+18reb+5ast, M.Darling 21+5reb+2ast, K.Isaac 20+6reb+4ast, W.Brown 15+5reb+1ast, T.Britt 12+5reb+7ast, T.Isaac 8+2ast

Giants - Sharks 83-98

Bottom-ranked Sharks managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of three consecutive losses. This time they won against sixth-ranked Giants in Stoke 98-83. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 15-point difference proves that Sharks was well-prepared to that game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Giants. They made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Giants 44-32 including 30 on the defensive glass. Sharks players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists. American guard Caleb Asberry (190-2000, college: OK State) accounted for 25 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) came up with 40 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Alexander McNaught (185-2002) added 15 points respectively for Giants in the defeat. Sharks (2-14) moved-up to tenth place. Giants at the other side keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Sharks will play against league's leader Rams in Christchurch in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Giants will play at home against Nuggets (#9) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Grida 40+6reb, A.McNaught 15+4reb+2ast, K.Langley 10+4reb+4ast, E.Kerr 6+4reb, N.Davidson 5+1reb+1ast, S.Dempster 5+9reb+4ast
Sharks: C.Asberry 25+7reb+3ast, C.McRae 22+21reb+11ast, C.Robb 21+5reb+6ast, B.Inger 19+7reb, A.Burton 7+2reb+2ast, B.Hall 2+1reb+2ast