In some ways, the playoff situation remains no clearer for the Otago Nuggets as the pointy end of the season nears.
In others, it is pretty simplistic — keep winning.
The Nuggets remain part of a mid-table log jam in the closest National Basketball League season in years.
They are in a tie for fourth, on eight wins with three games remaining.
The Hawke’s Bay Hawks have just two games left and are coming off a thrashing from the fast-finishing Wellington Saints.
The Saints, Franklin Bulls and Canterbury Rams all follow on seven wins — with three, four and three games to play respectively.
Ahead of the Nuggets are the Taranaki Airs and Auckland Tuatara on nine wins — although the Airs played last night and may have moved to 10 wins.
Those two would be reasonably confident in their chances, while the table-topping Nelson Giants can be considered a lock for the top six.
The scrap for the remaining spots, though, is very much on.
The Nuggets have one of the better runs in, though.
They are playing three home games, which comprise tomorrow’s against the Taranaki Airs, one against the lowly Southland Sharks and an opportunity to take a win off the Bulls.
They remain without Sam Timmins against Taranaki tomorrow, though, while also missing guard Nikau McCullough — who would have been away at the Commonwealth Games anyway — after a positive Covid-19 test.
However, they should be closer to full strength if that final-round Bulls games becomes decisive.
Crucially the Hawks and Rams are yet to play each other — meaning one will take a win off the other, limiting one to a maximum of nine total wins in the process.
The Hawks will beat the Jets next week, so should finish on a minimum of nine wins.
Wellington could easily win out — although matches against the Tuatara and Giants will be tough — but could very feasibly reach 10 wins.
The Tuatara themselves have nine wins on the board, although have played more games and could lose both remaining ones — to the Bulls and Saints.
The nature of this league is that any team could beat any team on their day — which makes a genuine prediction hard.
As a rough rule, though, 10 wins will probably make a team reasonably safe as far as the top six is concerned.
Teams may get in on nine as well — although that would start to cut it fine.
If the Nuggets win out, they can get to 11 wins — which in a way simplifies things.
Win the last three matches — or at least two of the last three — and they give themselves a good chance of being there at the end.
Tip-off is at 3pm.
- Former Nuggets point guard Richie Rodger has been a late inclusion in the New Zealand 3×3 team for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Rodger, who is from Dunedin but is playing for the Airs this season, had been listed as a reserve for the team.
His inclusion means Taranaki will be without him for tomorrow’s match.
National Basketball League
Edgar Centre, tomorrow, 3pm
Nuggets: Todd Withers, Keith Williams, Tray Boyd, Josh Aitcheson, Jack Andrew, Darcy Knox, Matthew Bardsley, Joe Ahie, Robbie Coman, Max Pearce, Danyon Ashcroft.
Airs: Tai Wynyard, Anthony Hilliard, Javonte Douglas, Marcel Jones, Carlin Davidson, Scott Telfer, Shaun Willett, Haize Walker, Aaron Bailey-Nowell.
NBL table
(Wins-losses)
Giants 11-4
Airs 9-5
Tuatara 9-7
Nuggets 8-7
Hawks 8-8
Bulls 7-7
Saints 7-8
Rams 7-8
Jets 5-11
Sharks 4-10
