Basketball: Crunch game for undefeated Nuggets

Forget the three-game winning streak - it is tonight's match against the Wellington Saints which will determine whether this Otago Nuggets team can mix it with the best in the National Basketball League.

Nuggets player-coach Mark Dickel has been pleasantly surprised by how well his side has been able to implement the game plan.

The franchise is 3-0 after dispatching the Canterbury Rams 82-64 in Christchurch on Saturday night. The Saints, however, are also undefeated, with four wins from four games. As far as Dickel is concerned, they are the team to beat and will provide the Nuggets with the perfect benchmark.

''It is not going to be an easy challenge,'' Dickel said.

''They are clearly the side which have won their games the easiest and they have a lot of really good players and they are well coached. For us, we are still trying to find our way.

''We've basically got a whole new team and it is going to be a really good test for us. We will know where we stand after [tonight's] game and I think that is a good thing.

''We will know what we will need to work on if we are going to have a team which has a chance to win the championship.

''If we play well enough, we'll know we're doing the right thing.''

Former junior Tall Black Sam King starred for the Nuggets in the 18-point win against the Rams. He top-scored with 22 points and grabbed five rebounds in his best performance in a Nuggets' singlet.

Dickel believes King, who has dropped about 15kg, has always had the ability to make an impact on the league but lacked fitness.

''The issue for Sam was about him getting in the sort of shape which would allow him to play the way he has been playing,'' Dickel said.

''Once he shed [some weight] he was always going to be able to perform because he is a competitive guy.

''He is a tough guy to cover. He is big enough to post up. He is a great outside shooter, he can put the ball on the floor and on defence he hustles. He is someone who can play for the Tall Blacks - I've always felt that.''

King's efforts rather compensated for a poor performance from American Warren Carter.

The 2.04m centre picked up three fouls in the first three minutes of the game. He took a seat on the bench for the remainder of the half. When he returned in the third quarter, he quickly picked up a fourth. He eventually fouled out having played just under 11min. Brendon Polyblank also fouled out, but not before scoring 16 points, and Troy Payne came alive in the second half.

He scored 17 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, including four offensive boards. He made three steals, as well, and his defence is a huge asset for the Nuggets.

Dickel continues to defy his 38 years, scoring 11 points, dishing seven assists and grabbing eight rebounds. He will resume his battle with classy point guard Lindsay Tait tonight, which promises to be fascinating.

Saints outside shooter Corey Webster scored 31 points in the 94-76 win against the Southland Sharks on Thursday night. The Nuggets will need to find a way to shut him down, along with import Ernest Scott, who is also a potent threat from outside.

The Nuggets' own three-point options are limited but the team has fiercely defended the perimeter.

In other round three results, the Taranaki Mountain Airs lost to the Nelson Giants 92-76. The Hawkes Bay Hawks were too strong for the Waitakere Rangers, winning 99-81, and the Sharks defeated the Manawatu Jets 96-81, Kevin Braswell top-scoring with 39 points.


NBL
Nuggets v Saints

Where: Wellington
When: 3pm, today

Otago Nuggets: Mark Dickel, Micah Lepaio, Troy Payne, Brendon Polyblank, Warren Carter, Sam King, Tony Tolovae, Steve Robinson, Olly Smith, Damon Cleverley.

Wellington Saints: Lindsay Tait, Damien Ekenasio, Corey Webster, Dion Prewster, Elijah Obade, Ernest Scott, Jacob Walsh, Izyah Mauriohooho-Le'afa, Jordan Mills, Danny Hing-Mather, Stu Carruthers.


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