The 107-84 defeat was the Nuggets' third consecutive loss on their home court and really underscored how far off the pace they are.
Ethan Rusbatch drilled eight triples on his way to a game-high 27 points.
Tae Hardy almost kept pace. He added 24 points to go with his 10 assists, and Till Gloger banged in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Jose Perez put in a solid shift for the Nuggets. He muscled his way to the hoop for 24 points, and Mac Stodart had his best game in a Nuggets’ singlet, grabbing 12 points.
But there was not a lot of highlights for the Nuggets, who have fallen into a slump following the departure of Todd Withers. They badly miss his defensive intensity.
The Nuggets had to call an early time-out to address an 11-point march the Bulls had stolen in the opening two minutes.
Tobias Cameron had drained back-to-back three-pointers for the visitors.
Rusbatch did the same after the time out.
The lead blew out to 19 points before Jaylen Sebree and Perez got to the hoop for a bucket or two.
Darcy Knox, Stodart and Christian Martin all rolled in triples while the imports took a spell on the bench.
Coach Mike Kelly could not have been happy with what he was seeing from his American trio.
The Nuggets trailed 38-23 going into the second period. Their perimeter defence had been stretched out of shape.
But the Bulls changed it up and went inside to Gloger, who finished off a series of baskets and took advantage of every mismatch he could find.
When he was not backing his way into the paint, Rusbatch was popping in more three-pointers.
He had knocked down five of them by halftime.
Don Carey jun picked up a third foul and took a seat for the best part of the final three minutes of the half.
Rusbatch started the third by adding another three to his total.
Hardy found himself alone at the top of the circle and helped himself to a triple as well.
David Okwera swatted away a shot from Carey, who had a tough night, to heap further misery on the home team.
The Nuggets lent on the bench to bring some energy late in the third and they chipped away some of the lead.
Patrick Freeman connected from range and Stodart slipped into the paint and banked in a lay-up.
But the Bulls had the reins and the comfort of a 13-point lead.
They brought up a 100 from the free throw line with nearly three minutes remaining.
On Tuesday night, the Hawke’s Bay Hawks (5-3) dispatched the beleaguered Indian Panthers (0-8) 103-88 in Pukekohe.
• The Nuggets recorded just their second loss in the Rapid League, losing 41-34 to the Bulls (3-5). The Nuggets (6-2) remain at the top of the standings.
NBL
The scores
Franklin Bulls 107
(Ethan Rusbatch 27, Tae Hardy 24)
Otago Nuggets 84
(Jose Perez 24, Mac Stodart 12)
Quarter scores: 38-23, 63-47, 82-69, 107-84.
