There are other compelling storylines ahead of tonight’s semifinal.
Webster versus Webster part two.
The Michael Harris-Tevin Brown shootout.
But "us against them" is always ample motivation.
The Nuggets dispatched the Rams 107-94 in Christchurch last month. But a week earlier the Rams edged the Nuggets 82-75 in Dunedin.
It is 1-1. Tonight’s winner clinches South Island bragging rights and, more importantly, a spot in the final against the top-ranked Auckland Tuatara, who last night beat the Franklin Bulls 92-67 at Trusts Arena in Auckland.
There has always been a little extra feeling for Otago teams when they play Canterbury sides. It is that little brother-big brother aspect of the relationship that provides an edge.
For the Websters is not just a rivalry set in an imaginary realm.
The brothers had never played against each other until Tai helped lead the Nuggets to a big win in Christchurch with a 28-point haul .
Older brother Corey lost that battle, but he warmed up for the rematch with some critical buckets in an 18 points haul in Thursday’s playoff against the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.
Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere knows how dangerous Corey can be.
"Corey pretty much got them out of jail. They did not look like they were going to win that game ... and then he buried a deep three to get them back in the game.
"He is certainly a point of emphasis along with Tevin Brown, who is just an elite basketball player in this league. We’ve got to make sure we negate those weapons as much as we possibly can.
"Blunt their attack a little bit and make sure we’re on point in ours, because everything is on the line."
The Nuggets will most likely put their best defender on Brown. That means another busy night for Todd Withers.
Brown’s tussle with Harris will be an indirect one. They both lead their teams for scoring, and how quickly they can find their range will have a big impact on the game.
Harris is the third leading scorer in the competition. He is averaging 22.1 points a game. On a good night he is good for 30 odd.
But his radar can also go wonky. And when he is not shooting well, the Nuggets are a far less formidable unit.
Withers will present the Rams with a tough defensive assignment.
"We are not sure who they will try and match up with him. Todd is a bit of an anomaly for most teams because he can play positions basically three through five.
"And how we mark Tevin Brown and Corey Webster is big for us.
"But if Michael Harris hits shots, we are usually pretty good."
Sam Timmins has not been as productive for the Nuggets as he was during the championship run last year.
But he has shown improvement in the last few weeks and has achieved a couple of goals. The big centre has signed with the Sydney Kings and has a Tall Blacks’ trial. The final piece of the puzzle is to help return the NBL trophy to Otago.
He netted 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the 100-95 loss to the Taranaki Airs in the Nuggets’ last outing.
The Rams will be scrambling if Timmins can produce another effort like that.
NBL semifinal
Trusts Arena, 7pm
Otago Nuggets (from): Sam Timmins, Todd Withers, Michael Harris, Tai Webster, Nikau McCullough, Jack Andrew, Matt Bardsley, Darcy Knox, Robbie Coman, Josh Aitcheson, Max Pearce, Joe Ahie.
Canterbury Rams (from): Thomas Webley, Max Darling, Tevin Brown, Walter Brown, Taylor Britt, Troy Baxter Jun, Corey Webster, Galin Smith, Quinn Clinton, Aiden Tonge, Kaia Isaac.
Head-to-head (1-1)
Nuggets 107-94, Rams 82-75
Key players
The Nuggets do well when both Michael Harris and Todd Withers are finding the middle of the hoop, while the Rams will lean on Tevin Brown to get the scoreboard moving and Corey Webster is a major threat.
