With no teams locked in (yet) to a spot at the Final 4, at least six of the seven games in R11 could have an impact on who books a ticket to the biggest games of the season on July 22/23.
Tickets to the Final 4 are now on sale - book HERE.
Check out all the broadcast info, coach quotes and ticket details below.
Mike Pero Nelson Giants vs EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls
When: Thursday July 8
Where: Trafalgar Centre
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3
Tickets: click HERE
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
The Bulls are playing a fast style of basketball this year and whether we can slow them down and stop their 3 point barrage will be key to the result in this game. They have played some really strong basketball over the past few weeks and will be a confident squad after their home win over the Airs.
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
We look forward to making the trip to Nelson this weekend. Fitch has his team playing some very good basketball this season and we will need to be wary of their dangerous backcourt duo in Hunter and Dontae. With this being our last road trip of the season the boys are gonna be very fired up and hopefully we can put on a good performance and put on a show for the locals.
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks vs Go Media Otago Nuggets
When: Friday July 9
Where: ILT Stadium Southland
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
After a great road win against Canterbury Rams, we came out like a lead balloon on our home court against a very focused and impressive Hawkes Bay team that totally kicked our butts in many ways! We are hoping that this loss will be what refocuses us into playing better basketball against a very good and desperate Nuggets team. The Nuggets are a very well coached team and they put on a great performance against the Hawks particularly with Isaiah Moss leading the way with 31 points. With Luke Aston hitting his straps and arguably the most dominant big in Sam Timmins and the incredibly hard working Geremy McKay we know we are in for great fight this week. We have enormous respect for the Nuggets and for us to get a win, we must be totally locked in mentally and do a better job of rebounding and play more aggressive and assertive basketball.
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
Mānawatea Matariki! The Go Media Nuggets are looking forward to travelling to the deep south and diving into the Shark tank. Both teams had very different results against the Hawks last round and we will be wary of a flick from the tail fin of the Sharks. The Sharks have plenty of bite with all of them able to go off in games. We well remember the Court 3 game where Inger went off from the 3 point line! A few of the staunch Blue n Gold supporters will be making the trip so expect a lot of noise from both sets of fans!
Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks vs Taranaki Steelformers Airs
When: Saturday July 10
Where: Pettigrew Green Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on SKy Sport Nect, Stuff, NZNBL Website, Tribe Sports App
Tickets: click HERE
Adam Forde (Hawks)
Another big weekend for us which was a mixed bag. Nuggets did well to control the tempo of the game last week and we found ourselves forever playing catch up that we couldn’t recover from. While that result was disappointing I was very impressed by the group to bounce back less than 18 hours later with a win against the Sharks. Getting out early against Southland also allowed us to manage some sore bodies which is important as we hope to be full strength heading into finals. Now with the Airs at home this week we understand how dangerous this team is as they almost got the better of the Saints in their last game. Led by dominating bigs like Wynyard, we need to make sure we don’t allow them to get energy with hustle plays and second chance points. If we don’t win the effort war then we will find ourselves in trouble again.
Trent Adam (Airs)
Round 11 of the Sal’s NBL has us on a road double header, with a game against the Hawks first up. Sitting second on the table at present, the Hawks are gearing up for a strong finish to the season, and their league leading 3 point shooting will provide a strong challenge for us. Averaging a little under 12 made three’s a game, allowing the Hawks to space the floor and share the ball, with 7 players averaging double figures in scoring. A strong focus and attention to detail at the defensive end will be required for us to slow down the leagues second highest scoring team. Having put together a couple of good first half performances last weekend, the challenge for our group is to extend that out into the full 40 mins.
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets vs Wellington Saints
When: Saturday July 10
Where: The Ballroom
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport Pop-Up 1
Tickets: available at the door | $10 adults | $5 kids aged 5-15 | Free for kids under 5
Tim McTamney (Jets)
Looking forward to another opportunity for our young players to prove themselves and gain more experience against the Welljngton Saints. A big challenge awaits us, we intend to embrace it.
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Every practice and game we strive to play the next possession better than we ever have collectively played a possession previously. This weekends trip to Manawatu to face the Jets represents a great opportunity for us to continue with this quest. A team that features many strong players, they are sure to pose us some problems to solve, and in doing so enhance our learning. In turn we intend to present a few quandaries of our own.
Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams vs Mike Pero Nelson Giants
When: Saturday July 10
Where: Cowles Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Mick Downer (Rams)
We are excited about this rivalry game as it represents many things. Our last home game of the season, and another sellout. An amazing job by everyone on and off the court at our club to build such as strong following within in our community. Prior to our game we have many former Rams and local basketball identities playing in the Lionel Hopgood tribute game. Our thoughts are with the Hopgood family and his friends who will be celebrating his life. The game will also be played in our “Ubix” heritage uniform’s as we acknowledge the generations of people who have played a pivotal role in building the rich history of our club. We’ll be using this event to help raise funds for an amazing organization, the Children’s Cancer Foundation, by online auctioning the Rams Heritage Jerseys. It’s a special night for our club and we look forward to play a great game against the Giants.
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
Taking on our old foes from CHCH in our second game of the weekend will be tough with a short turnaround. The Rams have made some key additions to their roster and I’m sure Mick will have them firing on all cylinders. This is a game our guys always get up for so should be a great battle.
Sky Tower Auckland Huskies vs Steelformers Taranaki Airs
When: Sunday July 11
Where: Eventfinda Stadium
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 2
Tickets: click HERE
Aaron Young (Huskies)
Coming off another big weekend on the road, we are excited to finish off the season at home over the last two rounds. The Airs will be coming in with a lot of confidence, after pushing the Saints to a close finish last Friday. But as always, we are focusing on ourselves and doing everything we can to try and secure a Final Four spot. It's going to be an exciting finish to the season, and I know that we will be ready for the challenge ahead, with nothing guaranteed and everything earned.
Trent Adam (Airs)
Sunday sees the Airs back in Auckland for a second consecutive weekend, this time up against the Huskies. Another team sitting in the top 4 at present, they too will be looking to solidify their positioning heading into post season play. At present they are one of the hottest teams in the league with a five game win streak. The three headed monster of Vodanovich, Johnson and Bibbs have been ably supported by their local players, including some young exciting prospects. Defensive discipline will again be vital for us, with the Huskies leading the league in free throw percentage, and top 3 in makes. We look forward to monitoring our improvement in a couple of vital areas as we match up with two top 4 teams on the road.
Wellington Saints vs Go Media Otago Nuggets
When: Monday July 12
Where: TSB Bank Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 2
Tickets: click HERE
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Every time we step on the court, whether it be practice or a game, we aim to collectively enhance our performance level. The Nuggets will aid us in pursuit of this ever present goal. Well coached by Brent and featuring a strong roster, the impending matchup is sure to require our best performance if we are to be successful. We look forward to entertaining another capacity crowd at TSB Arena in Wellington for our last home game of the season. In particular we’re grateful for the support of our game day sponsor Hell Pizza and Pak N Save.
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
Mānawatea Matariki! A lot of water, ice and snow has gone under the bridge since we played the Saints in game one of this year's Sals NBL. Have the Go Media Nuggets improved and can they test this Saints outfit who have been the standout team through the season. Adjustments in strategy have been made by both sides through the year but one thing is for sure. I can still remember my first outing against the Saints at home! Showtime basketball NZ style! I know this won't have changed. There'll be a big crowd, tough full court defence and a lot of above the rim, beyond the arc basketball action.
