The Nuggets were rolled 88-75 on their home court. It was their fifth consecutive loss at the Edgar Centre and easily their worst performance this season.
They showed some intensity in the opening 20min and led 41-40 at the halftime break.
But in scenes more reminiscent of four or five years ago, they came out flat in the third quarter and were outscored 27-17.
The game was still within reach but it quickly starting feeling like a rout.
The Nuggets could not make any impression. Tenacity gave way to acceptance and acceptance brought what has become an all too familiar feeling again.
Mathematically, the Nuggets may still have a chance of reaching the playoffs. But only the most optimistic of the 1600 fans who watched that performance would give their side any chance.
The Nuggets were smashed 49-29 on the boards. If there is one team in the league who can not afford to rebound poorly, it is the Nuggets.
The Jets just had too many big bodies for them. Centre Nick Horvath was probably the most difficult match-up.
He outclassed his opposite Warren Carter by a considerable margin, amassing 11 rebounds and 14 points in 31min.
Arthur Trousdell also had little trouble getting to the hoop and snaffling rebounds. He had a double-double of 18 points and 13 boards.
When the big boys could not get it done, Troy McLean was drilling three-pointers and bagged 17 points.
Americans Paul Jones (13 points) and Brandon Jenkins (10 points) also made valuable contributions.
For the Nuggets, Brandon Bowdry had a good night with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He misses a lot of shots, though.
Brandon Polyblank (19 points) has been good all year and delivered another honest performance.
Olly Smith provided some spark off the bench with six points and three rebounds.
The match started positively for the Nuggets. Micah Lepaio got under way with a nicely executed three-pointer from out wide. Bowdry followed up with one of his own.
The Nuggets, though, were bullied into shooting from deep rather than electing that particular game plan. Horvath and Jerimiah Trueman clogged up the paint and made it awfully tough.
At the other end, Horvath forced his way inside for a series of baskets with alarming ease.
Trailing 25-22 at the break, the Nuggets kept in touch with some slick passing and desperate defence. Player-coach Mark Dickel made a steal and went the length of the court.
He got fouled hard and crashed to the floor. But he brushed himself off and made both foul shots.
Polyblank pushed his way inside and past Horvath to net a basket and the foul.
The move brought the Nuggets bench to their feet and also put the home side in front. Polyblank then busted out a block on Alonzo Burton to help protect a one-point halftime lead.
But while the Jets steadily added to their halftime score, the Nuggets took almost four minutes to find the net.
Bowdry finally got the scoreboard moving again with a nice drive.
McLean fired in a three-pointer from behind the safety of a perfectly set screen and, moments later, Matt Te Huna also found his range. The Jets' lead had ballooned to 11 midway through the third period and that was the Nuggets done.
They did not have the offensive imagination to mount a comeback and were starved of the ball, with the Jets scoring 22 second-chance points.
The Nuggets have just a day to pick themselves up with the franchise hosting the Southland Sharks tomorrow night. Tip off is at 7pm.
In the night's other match, the Taranaki Mountain Airs upset the Wellington Saints 76-74 in New Plymouth.
In the Women's Basketball Championship the Otago Gold Rush was defeated 51-39 by the top-of-the-table Waikato Wizards. The Gold Rush play the Rotorua Lady Vols and the North Harbour Breeze today.
The scores
Manawatu Jets ... 88
Arthur Trousdell 18, Troy McLean 17
Otago Nuggets ... 75
Brandon Bowdry 20, Brendon Polyblank 19
Quarter scores: 25-22, 40-41, 67-58
