The Otago Nuggets are still in contention for the playoffs, but a run of five consecutive losses at home has left their campaign teetering. With three rounds remaining, it appears as if teams will need 10 or 11 wins to secure a post-season berth. Basketball writer Adrian Seconi looks at the Nuggets' chances.
Sudden death
That is it in a nutshell. The Nuggets really cannot afford to drop another game. They have six wins from 13 games, and can get to 11 wins if they win their remaining five. Chances are they will need 11 wins but may scrape through with 10.
Double-double
The Nuggets have not played that well at home this season so may relish the opportunity to play away from the Edgar Centre. Unfortunately, they have a tough double-header this weekend against the Taranaki Mountain Airs and the Nelson Giants.
If they get through that intact, they have to play the Manawatu Jets and the Hawkes Bay Hawks back-to-back later this month. It is a tough finish, and the Nuggets are at long odds.
Centre of attention
The Nuggets have struggled when they have come up against a team with a good centre or a lot of size. Taranaki big man Suleiman Braimoh dominated his opposite, Warren Carter, when the sides met in Dunedin last month.
He collected 30 points and 21 rebounds in a player-of-the-week performance. The sides play the return match in New Plymouth tonight and Carter will need to step up. His match-up with Jets centre Nick Horvath will also be crucial. Horvath is the best rebounder in the league and the Nuggets, shooting as poorly as they do, cannot lose the battle of the boards and still hope to win.
Best for last
If the Nuggets can string four wins together then they still have to beat the Hawks in Napier in their final round-robin match. They beat them 97-91 in overtime in round four. It was perhaps the Nuggets' best performance but the Hawks are undefeated at home this season and are on an eight-game winning streak.
Helping hand
The Nuggets' cause would be assisted greatly if the Canterbury Rams (3-10) could upset the Wellington Saints (8-6) in the capital tonight and the Waikato Pistons (8-6) in Hamilton on Sunday. And a win for the Waitakere Rangers (5-9*) over the Southland Sharks (9-4) on Saturday would help as well. But none of that will matter very much if the Nuggets (6-7) cannot beat the Giants (8-7) or the Mountain Airs (5-8*).* Record before the beginning of round 11.
National Basketball League
Otago Nuggets v Taranaki Mountain Airs
When: Tonight, 6.30pm.
Where: New Plymouth.
Nuggets: Mark Dickel, Micah Lepaio, Brandon Bowdry, Brendon Polyblank, Warren Carter, Sam King, Steve Robinson, Damon Cleverley, Tony Tolovae.
Mountain Airs: Suleiman Braimoh, Adrian Oliver, Brad Anderson, Aaron Bailey-Nowell, Danes Brooks, Derek Albertsen, Aled Jones, Todd Fisher, Willie Banks, Daniel Cunningham, Quinton Bailey, Kaye McKee.
