Basketball New Zealand

Dominion Finance NBL

The six teams for the Dominion Finance NBL Playoffs have been set – now to work out the finishing order. – UPDATED JUNE 3

We know three things: 1) the Century City Wellington Saints have won the regular season title; 2) the Youthtown Auckland Stars will finish sixth; and 3) second through fifth are up for grabs.

Here’s how the teams chances shake down (projected records based on current standings):

CLINCHED

Century City Wellington Saints (14-4)

Remaining Games: None
Opponents Win-Loss: N/A
Projected Record: 14-4 (1st)
Tiebreakers Won: Pistons 1-1 (+3), Heat 1-1 (+1), Giants 2-0, Stars 2-0, Rams 2-0, Jets 2-0, Nuggets 2-0
Tiebreakers Lost: Hawks 1-1 (-21), Dynamos 1-1 (-9)

The Saints wrapped up the regular season title in round 14 with a win over the Stars, the franchises third (added to 1988 and 2004), completing the first undefeated 9-0 season in Wellington history and guaranteed the Capital a home semifinal, then punctuated it with a club-record 39-point win over Manawatu.

Waikato Pistons (12-5)

Remaining Games: R15: @ Stars
Opponents win-loss: 9-8 (53%)
Projected record: 13-5 (2nd)
Tiebreakers Won: Giants 1-1 (+5), Hawks 2-0, Dynamos 1-1 (+20), Jets 2-0, Rams 1-1 (+1), Nuggets 2-0
Tiebreakers Lost: Saints 1-1 (-3), Heat 1-1 (-1)
Tiebreakers Undecided: Stars 1-0 (+21)

Despite two losses in round 12, the Pistons still became the first team to clinch a playoff spot, but saw their home semifinal chances drop a few levels with their third straight loss last Thursday. Another loss, coupled with a Heat win in round 15, could see them drop to third, but still a home quarterfinal in Te Awamutu.

Appliance Shed Harbour Heat (11-6)

Remaining Games: R15: @ Dynamos
Opponents win-loss: 7-9 (44%)
Projected record: 12-6 (3rd)
Tiebreakers Won: Pistons 1-1 (+1), Giants 2-0, Hawks 1-1 (+9), Rams 2-0, Nuggets 2-0, Jets 1-1 (+4)
Tiebreakers Lost: Saints 1-1 (-1), Stars 0-2
Tiebreakers Undecided: Dynamos 1-0 (+21)

Their win over the Pistons confirmed two things: a playoff berth and a home game in the playoffs, whether it be a quarterfinal or semifinal, yet to be determined. Could finish second with a win in their final game and Pistons loss, as they now own the tiebreaker over Waikato. Can finish from second to fourth.

CPS Nelson Giants (10-6)

Remaining Games: R15: @ Hawks, @ Jets
Opponents win-loss: 14-19 (42%)
Projected record: 12-6 (4th)
Tiebreakers Won: Stars 2-0, Dynamos 2-0, Rams 2-0, Nuggets 2-0
Tiebreakers Lost: Pistons 1-1 (-5), Saints 0-2, Heat 0-2
Tiebreakers Undecided: Hawks 1-0 (+11), Jets 0-1 (-5)

A crucial double-header confronts the Giants in round 15, after confirming their playoff status on Thursday. A win over the Hawks next Friday would ensure playoff basketball was played in Nelson for another season. The G-Men could still miss out on a home playoff game with two losses. Can finish from third to fifth.

Easy LPG Bay Hawks (10-7)

Remaining Games: R15: vs Giants
Opponents win-loss: 10-6 (63%)
Projected record: 10-8 (5th)
Tiebreakers Won: Saints 1-1 (+21), Stars 2-0, Dynamos 1-1 (+18), Rams 1-1 (+6), Jets 2-0, Nuggets 2-0
Tiebreakers Lost: Pistons 0-2, Heat 1-1 (-9),
Tiebreakers Undecided: Giants 0-1 (-11)

Despite Thursday night’s upset loss to the Rams, the Hawks had their playoff futures confirmed with the Dynamos earlier loss. After beating the Stars on Monday, they need to beat the Giants in their season finale by more than 11 points to guarantee a home quarterfinal. Can finish fourth or fifth.

Youthtown Auckland Stars (9-8)

Remaining Games: R15: vs Pistons
Opponents win-loss: 12-5 (71%)
Projected record: 9-9 (6th)
Tiebreakers Won: Heat 2-0, Dynamos 2-0, Jets 2-0, Nuggets 2-0
Tiebreakers Lost: Saints 0-2, Giants 0-2, Hawks 0-2, Rams 1-1 (-9),
Tiebreakers Undecided: Pistons 0-1 (-21)

With the toughest finishing schedule of any team – four games in eight days, three of their opponents in the top five and three on the road – the Stars clinched with their ninth win and Monday’s loss to the Hawks consigned them to sixth.