They combined for 27 points to help post an 86-77 win against the Nelson Giants at the Edgar Centre tonight.
Isaac Miller-Jose led the charge from the pine. He collected a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The starters certainly had their moments as well.
Buay Tuach (21 points) had a productive first half. Alain Louis (18 points) made some big plays, and Ethan Rusbatch crept up to 14 points.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt shone for the Giants. He netted 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a classy performance, while Tohi Smith-Milner got hot late and slotted 23 points to go with is 10 rebounds.
The Giants went inside to Smith-Milner on the first play.
The big centre got shut down that time but responded a few plays later with a three-pointer from the outside.
He got into early foul trouble, though, and took a seat on the bench.
The Nuggets trailed 9-2 and were labouring, even with the big fellow missing.
Tuach landed a three to provide a spark, but back-to-back triples by Sam Dempster (10 points, 12 rebounds) restored a healthy lead for the visitors.
Tuach pulled his side out of a hole late in the quarter with a brace of baskets and a free throw.
They trailed 15-14 at the start of the second period but slipped further behind quickly.
Perrott-Hunt made a steal and finished with a dunk. Then he speared a three-pointer.
It was Tuach who responded again. He received a rebuke from coach Jeff Sparrow leading into the game for a less-than-sterling display on defence in the 95-68 win against the Sharks last week.
But he was the only piston pumping at the end of the court where points are scored.
He needed some help, though. And right on cue, Miller-Jose slapped in a Tuach shot, which threatened to bobble out.
Matthew Bardsley conn ected with a driving lay-up.
Louis forced his way through heavy traffic and to the lid for a couple of baskets.
Giants coach Mike Fitchett lost it when his side did not get a foul call he was expecting and got a technical foul for some naughty language.
He had to walk off the frustration when Rusbatch got fouled moments later from beyond the arc and drilled all three free throws.
The Nuggets won the quarter 32-18 and took a 46-33 lead into halftime.
Smith-Milner crashed his way to the hoop and then followed up with a finesse play from the top of the key for three.
Miller-Jose replied with a couple of baskets in the paint and a dunk.
The Giants trailed by 10 points with 10 minutes to play.
Miller-Jose helped ice the win when he cut to the hoop and finished with a savage one-handed slam.
They felt that one in St Kilda.
Louis made some gutsy drives to the hoop late to make sure the Giants had no path back to victory.
The scores
Otago Nuggets 86 (Buay Tuach 21, Alain Louis 18)
Nelson Giants 77 (Kruz Perrott-Hunt 26, Tohi Smith-Milner 23)
Quarter scores: 14-15, 46-33, 66-56, 86-77.
■ The Nuggets beat the Giants 46-25 in the Rapid League game to make it two from two to start the season. Christian Martin starred with 19 points and eight rebounds.
