Basketball New Zealand

Thomas Abercrombie (Photosport)

Ian Anderson, Waikato Times
The Nelson Giants may be without two of their big names when they tip-off the National Basketball League season against the Waikato Pistons in Te Awamutu tomorrow night.

The visitors are sweating on the fitness of imported forward Michael Harrison while it seems unlikely Tall Blacks forward Mika Vukona will be available for the clash.

However, the Giants will still have the likes of veteran stars Phill Jones, Tony Rampton and former Pistons point guard Mike Fitchett to challenge the two-times defending champions.

Harrison badly injured an ankle last month during a pre-season match and the 2.06m forward has been undergoing physiotherapy treatment in an effort to be fit for tomorrow’s encounter at 7.30pm.

Vukona, a powerful inside force who is an outstanding rebounder and has worked hard to improve his shooting, may be unavailable due to commitments with his Australian NBL side Gold Coast Blaze, despite the team being knocked out of the playoffs last week.

Nelson recorded losses to the Christchurch Cougars and Southland Sharks in their pre-season buildup but were without the likes of Jones and Rampton and scored a win over the Otago Nuggets.

The Dean Vickerman-coached Pistons warmed up for the match with a comfortable win in Saturday’s match against the Harbour Heat in Hamilton.

The hosts leapt out to a sizeable early lead and were able to rest their starters later.

Exciting New Zealand Breakers swingman Thomas Abercrombie led the Pistons’ scoring with 21 points. Centre Alex Pledger was another standout with 17 points and 11 rebounds while imported guard Eric Devendorf had 15 points in the first half before playing limited minutes in the second half.

The hosts will be favoured to repeat last season’s Grand Finals triumph with a win over the Giants.

TEAMS

Waikato Pistons (from): Eric Devendorf, Hayden Allen, Gerard Bowden, Thomas Abercrombie, Tony Ronaldson, Alex Pledger, Mike Homik, Puke Lenden, Ray Cameron, Kurtis Elliott, Royli Ali, John Auld.

Nelson Giants (from): Phill Jones, Tony Rampton, Mika Vukona, Michael Harrison, Mike Fitchett, Darryl Jones, Josh Bloxham, Ben Wright, Steve Bill, Bronson Beri, Nico Ritschny, Sam Dempster, Tom Ingham.

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2010 NBL Preview(776kb)