NBL Round 22 (Regular Season): Rams lose to Jets

The Regular Season in NBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Rams (14-3) recorded its third loss in Palmerston North on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Jets (11-7) 92-86. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Rams. Jets made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Rams outrebounded Jets 56-34 including a 25-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Jets made 8 blocks. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) fired 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American guard Quinton Rose (203-1998, college: Temple) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. Jets' coach Tony Webster used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Australian forward Kyle Bowen (203-2000, college: SMC) produced a triple-double by scoring 16 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists for lost side. Jets moved-up to third place. Defending champion Rams still keep top position with three games lost. Jets are looking forward to face Tuatara (#6) in Auckland in the next round. Rams will have a break next round.
The game in Tamatea was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Sharks (11-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (9-11). Sharks defeated Hawks 92-76. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Keylan Boone contributed with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for Hawks. Sharks have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-8 record. Hawks lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play at home against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Auckland was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Sharks (11-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Tuatara (9-9). Sharks managed to secure a 6-point victory 86-80 on Sunday. Josiah Allick had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Luther Muhammad responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 assists and 4 steals. Sharks have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-8 record. Tuatara at the other side keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play against Jets (#3) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 22 Airs were defeated by Bulls in Pukekohe 96-83. Saints smashed Whai at home 103-77.



Hawks - Sharks 76-92

The game in Tamatea was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Sharks (11-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Hawks (9-11). Sharks defeated Hawks 92-76. Sharks dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Hawks' 28. They outrebounded Hawks 49-36 including 18 on the offensive glass. Sharks players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Keylan Boone (203-2000, college: UNLV, agency: Interperformances) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and South Sudanese-Australian guard Wani Swaka (198-2001) added 20 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Hawks. Sharks have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-8 record. Hawks lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hawks will play at home against the league's second-placed Saints (#2) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Hawks: D.Grida 24+10reb+3ast, W.Swaka 20+9reb+1ast, C.Scott 11+2reb+2ast, L.Yates 9+3reb+1ast, J.Murphy 6+4reb, B.Alston 6+4reb+8ast
Sharks: S.Timmins 28+11reb+5ast, K.Boone 17+13reb+1ast, J.Allick 14+13reb+2ast, A.Burton 11+2reb+3ast, B.Inger 10+5reb+5ast, C.Asberry 7+3reb+7ast

Bulls - Airs 96-83

There was an upset in Pukekohe where higher ranked Airs (10-8) were defeated by ninth ranked Bulls (9-10) 96-83 on Saturday. Bulls outrebounded Airs 46-28 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. International guard Flynn Cameron (196-2000, college: UC Riverside) had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and German center Till Gloger (204-1993, college: Maine) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Carlin Davison (197-2003) responded with 17 points and 9 assists and Australian-German forward Craig Moller (203-1994) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Four Bulls and five Airs players scored in double figures. Bulls moved-up to seventh place. Airs at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. Bulls will meet at home higher ranked Jets (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Airs will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Airs: A.Fletcher 19+3reb, C.Davison 17+4reb+9ast, C.Moller 13+11reb+1ast, D.Dut 11+4reb+4ast, J.Gerrand 10+1reb+1ast, J.Andrew 6+4reb
Bulls: T.Hardy 22+1reb+4ast, F.Cameron 20+10reb+4ast, T.Gloger 20+7reb+3ast, E.Rusbatch 17+1reb, D.Okwera 9+12reb+2ast, J.Hunt 4+9reb

Saints - Whai 103-77

No shocking result in a game in Wellington where second ranked Saints (14-4) smashed 9th ranked Tauranga (8-10) 103-77 on Saturday. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Saints made 8 blocks. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (198-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) scored 27 points to lead the charge for the winners and international guard Izayah Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Saints' coach Aaron Young felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side the former international power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) responded with 24 points and 7 rebounds and forward Sean Murphy (198-2002, college: LCU) scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Saints have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-4 record having just one point less than leader Panthers. Whai lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with ten games lost. Saints will meet Hawks (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Whai will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Whai: A.Rissetto 24+7reb+3ast, M.King 16+2reb+5ast, S.Murphy 14+6reb+6ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 13+4reb+6ast, S.Bairstow 5+7reb+5ast, D.Brooke 3+6reb
Saints: J.Ngatai 27+4reb+1ast, N.Muszynski 15+6reb+2ast, I.Le'afa 13+5reb+6ast, N.Marshall 12+3reb+4ast, S.Gold 10+7reb, H.Harris 9+3reb+8ast

Tuatara - Sharks 80-86

The game in Auckland was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Sharks (11-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Tuatara (9-9). Sharks managed to secure a 6-point victory 86-80 on Sunday. Sharks dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Tuatara's 26. They outrebounded Tuatara 49-32 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sharks made 7 blocks. American forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American guard Luther Muhammad (191-1999, college: Arizona St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 assists and 4 steals and the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) scored 18 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sharks have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-8 record. Tuatara at the other side keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play against Jets (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: R.Loe 18+4reb+4ast, L.Muhammad 16+4reb+11ast, C.Pride 14+6reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 12+2reb, B.Tuach 9+4reb, D.Fotu 5+7reb+3ast
Sharks: S.Timmins 20+10reb+2ast, K.Boone 19+6reb+6ast, J.Allick 15+15reb+3ast, T.Cooper 12+3reb+3ast, C.Asberry 9+9reb+9ast, A.Burton 9+3reb+1ast

Jets - Rams 92-86

Top ranked Rams (14-3) recorded its third loss in Palmerston North on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Jets (11-7) 92-86. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Rams. Jets made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Rams outrebounded Jets 56-34 including a 25-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Jets made 8 blocks. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) fired 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American guard Quinton Rose (203-1998, college: Temple) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. Jets' coach Tony Webster used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Australian forward Kyle Bowen (203-2000, college: SMC) produced a triple-double by scoring 16 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists and international forward Walter Brown (194-2003) added 20 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Jets and four Rams players scored in double figures. Jets moved-up to third place. Defending champion Rams still keep top position with three games lost. Jets are looking forward to face Tuatara (#6) in Auckland in the next round. Rams will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Rams: W.Brown 20+7reb+2ast, K.Bowen 16+22reb+10ast, S.Macdonald 14+4reb+7ast, T.Smith-Milner 14+5reb+3ast, K.Isaac 12+4reb, C.Penha 5+8reb+4ast
Jets: C.Webster 19+7reb+8ast, M.Gibson 19+3reb, D.Russo-Nance 17+2reb+2ast, Q.Rose 16+2reb+4ast, K.Goins 11+10reb+1ast, I.Miller-Jose 8+3reb