As we reach R9 of the Sal's NBL season the battle for the Final 4 has gone up another level. While the Sharks, Hawks and Saints look set to make it through, the race is still wide open and every game could have an impact on who makes it, and who misses out.
EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Thursday June 24
Where: Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 3
Tickets: click HERE
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
We look forward to hosting the Rams at the Stockyard this coming Thursday, It has been a couple weeks since we last played at home and we look forward to an action packed evening with hopefully a big crowd to match it. Coming off a rough week in the south the boys have been hitting the ground running this week and are fizzing to be back in front of the locals this week, The Rams no doubt have a lot of firepower at their disposal and a couple of new faces since we last met should set up to be an exciting encounter at the a Stockyard.
Mick Downer (Rams)
In our first ever game in Pukekohe we look forward to this road trip coming after coming off a four quarter consistent effort in the last round at home. Our hosts had a rough weekend but will no doubt respond on their home court. They play an uptempo, spread style of game and have multiple threats from the land of plenty, so the we will be tested around defensive transition and containment of the ball. For us we welcome back dominant centre Jack Salt and will also look to build further chemistry between recently returning ANBL player Max Darling within our squad. It’s an exciting time in the Sal’s NBL as we enter the business end of the season.
Steelformers Taranaki Airs vs Property Brokers Manawatu Jets
When: Friday June 25
Where: TSB Stadium
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Trent Adam (Airs)
After a weekend on the road, we are looking forward to getting back in front of our great home fans in Taranaki. We have the battle of the 06, with the Manawatu Jets coming to town. After some inconsistent offence over the weekend, we are looking too tidy up our accuracy at that end of the floor as we search out our best scoring options. The Jets offensive firepower will also challenge us defensively, with 4 players averaging over 15 points a game. This scoring power allows them to lead the league in Field Goal Attempts, as they keep the score board ticking over.
Tim McTamney (Jets)
Mike Pero Nelson Giants vs Wellington Saints
When: Friday June 25
Where: Trafalgar Centre
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 8
Tickets: click HERE
Mike Fitchett (Giants)
This game is going to be a great challenge for us. A do or die game for us against one of the front runners in the league, a team with excellent talent and coaching. The Saints are very good at both ends of the floor, and how we deal with their defensive pressure will go a long way to determining the outcome of the game.
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 Friday’s trip to Nelson to face the Giants for the first time this season 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.
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks vs Sky Tower Auckland Huskies
When: Saturday June 26
Where: ILT Stadium Southland
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport Next, Stuff.co.nz, NZNBL website, Tribe Sports App
Tickets: click HERE
Rob Beveridge (Sharks)
This week’s game against the Huskies is a real danger game for us and we must be ready to play. The Huskies are still in contention for a playoff spot and had a gutsy win against The Rams last week. They without doubt will come to Southland playing desperate basketball to ensure they remain in the playoff race. Ex-NBA player and import Chris Johnson has been a handful for all teams this season and creates mismatches inside and out and the inclusion of Tom Vodanovich into the line-up provides some toughness in their front line. Their other import Justin Bibbs is now settling into the Huskies and is gaining confidence every game. Obviously with winning 8 games in a row, we are have been very happy with how we are playing unselfish basketball , however we need to continue to get better each game and develop more consistency as we close out the season.
Aaron Young (Huskies)
The Southland double header - such an important weekend for us, as we try and move our way up the ladder. The Sharks are in great form and are always tough at ILT stadium. The Nuggets have also been consistent in the last few rounds, and we know how crucial a win against them is at this stage of the season, as they sit at the 4th spot. For us, I know we are excited for the challenge. It’s not an easy trip down the the bottom of the world, but we are certainly ready for a statement weekend, look forward to us stepping up.
Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks vs EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls
When: Saturday June 26
Where: Pettigrew Green Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Adam Forde (Hawks)
After a great weekend last round we want to back it up again this weekend knowing it’ll be a tougher match up as we host Franklin before playing the Saints in Wellington. Zico is great coach and we know he’ll make the appropriate adjustments from out last game. All we can look to do is build on our consistency over four quarters, especially on the defensive end. We’ve let ourselves down for stretches in games, so staying locked in for the full 40 minutes is key. We’ve had a great week on the training floor and with everyone fit and healthy, and with our complete roster available, we don’t have any excuses. It’s getting to the business end of the season, and we want to make sure that over the coming weeks we peak at the right time of the year.
Jamie Reddish (Bulls)
The Hawks are no doubt one of the deepest teams in the league. With another couple new faces joining them on court and on the sideline definitely strengthens an already loaded roster with some of the best locals this league has to offer. Making the trip down the morning after the Rams game will be tough on the body for the boys but with our excellent support staff with them there is no doubt the boys will be fired up for what is hopefully a big crowd at Pettigrew Green Arena to put on a great show for the fans .
Property Brokers Manawatu Jets vs Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams
When: Saturday June 26
Where: Fly Palmy Arena
Time: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 8
Tickets: click HERE
Tim McTamney (Jets)
Mick Downer (Rams)
Much like our road game Thursday night when we enter the Fly Parmy Arena we will face an opponent that plays an uptempo and aggressive offensive style of play. We will need to be on point with our shot selection, and defensive transition to contain our hosts. We will look to continue to build chemistry with our recent returning Tall Black players as we do our very best to improve our execution. The game is a balance of calculated risks and discipline, fast and slow, inside and outside, and we are still seeking to find our perfect balance points within our group. The journey to do this although challenging is enjoyable with a great group of people.
Wellington Saints vs Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks
When: Sunday June 27
Where: TSB Bank Arena
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 2
Tickets: click HERE
Zico Coronel (Saints)
Sunday's game versus the Hawks is sure to aid us in our pursuit of ongoing improvement coming off the back of the previous day. A well coached team and our second match against the Hawks will present us with a real challenge. We look forward to meeting the challenge posed, the associated learning we will make, and putting on a spectacle for our Saints Family at TSB Arena in Wellington. In particular we’re grateful for the support of our game day sponsor Pak N Save.
Adam Forde (Hawks)
After a great weekend last round we want to back it up again this weekend knowing it’ll be a tougher match up as we host Franklin before playing the Saints in Wellington. Zico is great coach and we know he’ll make the appropriate adjustments from out last game. All we can look to do is build on our consistency over four quarters, especially on the defensive end. We’ve let ourselves down for stretches in games, so staying locked in for the full 40 minutes is key. We’ve had a great week on the training floor and with everyone fit and healthy, and with our complete roster available, we don’t have any excuses. It’s getting to the business end of the season, and we want to make sure that over the coming weeks we peak at the right time of the year.
Go Media Otago Nuggets vs Sky Tower Auckland Huskies
When: Sunday June 27
Where: Edgar Centre
Time: 5:00pm
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport 9
Tickets: click HERE
Brent Matehaere (Nuggets)
We welcome the Sky Tower Huskies to Dunedin on Sunday remembering all to well that CJ had 60% of the ball in the hoop for the win in Auckland! Go Media Nuggets will have to be ready for a much stronger Huskies adding Bibbs and and Vadonavich to their line up. We have shown the More FM arena crowd what we are about with a solid performance against the Bulls. It’s coming to crunch time and each team will need to be executing well to take the points!
Aaron Young (Huskies)
The Southland double header - such an important weekend for us, as we try and move our way up the ladder. The Sharks are in great form and are always tough at ILT stadium. The Nuggets have also been consistent in the last few rounds, and we know how crucial a win against them is at this stage of the season, as they sit at the 4th spot. For us, I know we are excited for the challenge. It’s not an easy trip down the the bottom of the world, but we are certainly ready for a statement weekend, look forward to us stepping up.
