Nuggets have decent shot at making playoffs

Manawatū Jets centre Jamal Poplar jun attempts to block a shot from Otago Nuggets forward Zach McKenzie during an National Basketball League game at the Edgar Centre in April. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

The Otago Nuggets are holding two pair right now.

It is a decent hand and they have given themselves a shot at reaching the National Basketball League playoffs and collecting the pot.

So, what needs to happen?

First, let’s look at the hand they have been dealt.

You can go ahead and pencil the Nuggets in for a couple more losses in their remaining round-robin games.

You would not bet on them upsetting the Wellington Saints in Dunedin tonight or beating the Auckland Tuatara on the road later this month.

That leaves three winnable games.

If they can register wins against the Franklin Bulls in Pukekohe and in their last two games, against the Hawke’s Bay Hawks and the Tauranga Whai, that should get them into the top six and a seat at the table with the big dogs.

The league has very much split into two tiers.

Auckland (13-2), Southland (14-3), Canterbury (11-4) and Wellington (10-4) are operating at a much higher level.

There is nothing between the next five sides. They are jostling for the final two playoff spots, while the Hawks (3-13) and the Nelson Giants (4-11) look to be too far back.

The Nuggets lead the chasing pack.

They have seven wins from 15 games. Perhaps nine wins will be enough to get them through — 10 will definitely do it.

The Saints should have too much quality for the Nuggets tonight.

The next assignment is a tough road trip to Auckland for a double-header against the Bulls and the Tuatara next week.

Fortunately, they play the Bulls first, which is a much more winnable match. If they are smart, that is the one they will be targeting.

They let a win slip against the Bulls in Dunedin.

They had the game under control, but the visitors pounced late. Carter Whitt nailed a fade-away jumper to beat the buzzer and secure a 94-93 win.

It is a loss that will haunt the Nuggets and may still come back to bite them if they cannot get some redemption in Pukekohe.

Whatever the result, the Nuggets will likely be sweating on the outcome of their final two round-robin games.

The first of those two fixtures is against the Hawks in Dunedin on July 16.

The Hawks have had a tough season. But they pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Nuggets 91-82 in Napier in May.

It shapes as a must-win game for the Nuggets.

That leaves the Tauranga Whai in Tauranga on July 22.

The Nuggets posted a 92-81 win against the Whai in Dunedin.

But the Whai were without Reuben Te Rangi and have added seasoned campaigner Jordan Ngatai since that loss. He played his 200th NBL game recently.

The Whai have a very tough run-in. They have to play the Saints twice and the Tuatara this afternoon.

That makes their game against the Nuggets, and the fixture against the Nelson Giants on July 25, critical.

The Manawatū Jets played the Canterbury Rams last night. Regardless of the outcome, you could see the Jets putting together a run at the playoffs.

They have the Webster brothers, Corey and Tai, and imports Jamal Poplar jun and Kaden Sand complete a dangerous quartet.

The Bulls have an easier run into the playoffs than most.

They have an away fixture against the Giants tomorrow before hosting the Nuggets. Both are very winnable from their point of view.

Their last home game is against the Taranaki Airs on July 19, and they finish up with away games against the Jets and Rams.

The Airs have less runway. They have four games remaining and have to play the Rams and Tuatara. Their games against the Giants and Bulls will be must-wins.

adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz