NBL Round 3 (Regular Season): Nuggets keep a leadership position

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in NBL, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Nuggets defeated Tauranga in Dunedin 92-81. Nuggets dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Tauranga's 32. Nuggets outrebounded Whai 39-24 including 26 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Haitian-Canadian guard Alain Louis (185-1998, college: Carleton) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. American center Mikey Henn (202-1997, college: Penn State) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) who recorded 23 points and 6 rebounds. Tauranga will play next round against Sharks trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against Jets in Palmerston North.
Rams (3-1) recorded a loss in Pukekohe. Visitors were defeated by Bulls (1-2) 103-99. It was a good game for American guard Carter Whitt (190-2002, college: Belmont) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. Derrin Boyd contributed with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Bulls' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. International guard Taylor Britt (188-1996, college: Southeast CC) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 12 assists for Rams. Bulls will play against Airs (#5) in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rams will have a break next round.
The game in Palmerston North supposed to be also quite interesting. Tuatara (3-0) played at the court of Jets (1-3). Tuatara did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 100-80 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Zach Riley who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). The best for the losing side was Jamal Poplar with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 15 rebounds. Jets' coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Tuatara will meet Saints (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and hope to win that game.

Other games of round 3 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Saints were crushed by Rams in Christchurch 111-89. Winless Hawks were beaten by Rams at home 94-103. Saints lost to Giants on the opponent's court 95-97.
The best stats of 3rd round was 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds by Liam Judd of Giants.



Rams - Saints 111-89

There was no surprise in Christchurch where Saints (1-2) were crushed by Rams (3-1) 111-89 on Sunday. Rams outrebounded Saints 47-34 including 35 on the defensive glass. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Rams made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American-Cameroonian forward Tamenang Choh (196-1998, college: Brown, agency: Helping Ballers) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 8 rebounds. International forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) helped adding 21 points and 13 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and international Carlin Davison (197-2003) scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had five players each who 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. Rams will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saints will play against Airs (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: C.Tamenang 28+8reb+3ast, B.Walter 21+13reb+3ast, W.Todd 19+4reb+1ast, B.Taylor 17+2reb+8ast, J.Andrew 15+10reb+3ast, I.Cate 8+2reb+3ast
Saints: E.Pepper 23+5reb+6ast, D.Ingram 20+4reb+3ast, C.Davison 17+7reb+7ast, A.Akech 12+8reb+1ast, H.Jordan 10+4reb, G.Samuel 4+4reb

Hawks - Rams 94-103

No shocking result in a game in Tamatea where Rams (3-1) defeated Hawks (0-4) 103-94 on Thursday. It was a great evening for international forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 6 rebounds. American-Cameroonian forward Tamenang Choh (196-1998, college: Brown, agency: Helping Ballers) helped adding 22 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Australian swingman Daniel Grida (197-1998) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the former international guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) scored 19 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Hawks' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rams: B.Walter 31+6reb+3ast, C.Tamenang 22+9reb+1ast, B.Taylor 22+1reb+8ast, W.Todd 11+5reb+1ast, J.Andrew 9+12reb+4ast, J.Holmes 3+1reb
Hawks: D.Grida 28+13reb+4ast, K.Rasmussen 19+3reb+3ast, B.Jackson 16+4reb+5ast, A.Burton 15+5reb+2ast, J.McLaughlin 8+3reb+1ast, C.Balin 2

Nuggets - Whai 92-81

Nuggets defeated Tauranga in Dunedin 92-81. Nuggets dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Tauranga's 32. Nuggets outrebounded Whai 39-24 including 26 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Haitian-Canadian guard Alain Louis (185-1998, college: Carleton) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. American center Mikey Henn (202-1997, college: Penn State) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. Henn is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Nuggets players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) who recorded 23 points and 6 rebounds and Australian guard Nicholas Stoddart (188-2000) added 24 points and 4 steals respectively. Tauranga will play next round against Sharks trying to get back on the winning streak. Nuggets will try to continue on its current victory against Jets in Palmerston North.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: M.Henn 19+7reb, R.Ethan 17+6reb+1ast, L.Alain 16+7reb+9ast, T.Buay 15+7reb+4ast, I.Miller-Jose 13+7reb+1ast, M.Bardsley 5+2reb
Whai: N.Stoddart 24+2reb+2ast, T.Murray 23+6reb+3ast, M.Xanda 10+4reb+1ast, T.Nicolas 9+1reb+1ast, H.Cole 5+2reb, J.Bezzant 3+2reb+5ast

Bulls - Rams 103-99

Rams (3-1) recorded a loss in Pukekohe. Visitors were defeated by Bulls (1-2) 103-99. Bulls outrebounded Rams 46-29 including a 27-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. Bulls players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a good game for American guard Carter Whitt (190-2002, college: Belmont) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import guard Derrin Boyd (190-2000, college: Charleston, agency: One Motive Sports) contributed with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Bulls' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. International guard Taylor Britt (188-1996, college: Southeast CC) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 12 assists and international forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Rams. Five Bulls and four Rams players scored in double figures. Bulls will play against Airs (#5) in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rams will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bulls: B.Derrin 27+6reb+6ast, W.Carter 26+5reb+13ast, C.Jace 19+15reb+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 12+4reb+2ast, K.Robinson 10+6reb, E.Biggar 7+8reb
Rams: T.Britt 32+4reb+12ast, W.Brown 22+6reb+4ast, A.Jack 19+10reb+1ast, T.Withers 13+4reb+1ast, H.Jake 6+1reb+1ast, C.Ihaka 5+3reb+4ast

Jets - Tuatara 80-100

The game in Palmerston North supposed to be also quite interesting. Tuatara (3-0) played at the court of Jets (1-3). Tuatara did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 100-80 on Saturday. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) helped adding 27 points and 8 rebounds. Four Tuatara players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Jamal Poplar (204-1996, college: Seward County) with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 15 rebounds and point guard Kazlo Evans Jr (180-2003) scored 16 points. Jets' coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Tuatara will meet Saints (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play against Nuggets in Dunedin and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: Z.Riley 28+7reb+4ast, V.Thomas 27+8reb, L.Robert 16+12reb+6ast, D.Josh 15+4reb+7ast, J.Wyllie 5+1reb+1ast, D.Wilkie 5+2reb
Jets: P.Jamal 32+15reb+1ast, E.Jr Kazlo 16+2reb+2ast, H.Alex 10+5reb, K.Sand 8+2reb+4ast, R.Lukah 5+3reb+3ast, L.Dru-Leo 4+3reb+1ast

Giants - Saints 97-95

There was a minor upset in Nelson where Saints (1-2) were edged by Giants (1-2) 97-95 on Saturday. Giants made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for forward Liam Judd (196-2001) who led his team to a victory scoring 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. The former international guard Alexander McNaught (185-2002) helped adding 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was Australian forward Akech Aliir (204-2000) with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) scored 20 points and 8 assists. Four Saints players scored in double figures. Giants will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saints will play against Airs (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: J.Liam 34+5reb+2ast, A.McNaught 19+5reb+7ast, P.Kruz 15+4reb+4ast, S.Tohi 9+6reb+7ast, S.Dempster 8+2reb+1ast, J.Matthews 6+1reb
Saints: A.Akech 24+6reb+4ast, E.Pepper 20+3reb+8ast, H.Jordan 16+2reb+5ast, C.Aubrey 14+2reb, C.Davison 9+9reb+7ast, D.Ingram 7+2reb+2ast