Basketball New Zealand

Hayden Allen & Alex Pledger (Photosport)

Round Three begins on Thursday with a replay of last years Semi Final when the Waikato Pistons host the Christchurch Cougars

The Cougars had a great year in their debut season and nearly knocked off the the eventual champs losing 96-89.

But times have changed and the only remaining starter from that Pistons side is Thomas Abercrombie, who just came off a player of the week performance with 37 points against the Taranaki Mountainairs. Abercrombie is averaging 21.5 points in the first two games and is second in the league in blocks (3.0).

The Cougars have never beaten the Pistons losing to them all three times in 2009, but they have retained starters Paora Winitana, Trent Wurtz and Tim Behrendorff. It is still uncertain whether Behrendorff will be with the Cougars because of obligations with the Wollongong Hawks in Australia.

A former starter for the Cougars, Gerard Bowden has now joined the Pistons roster alongside the star studded backcourt of Eric Devendorf and Hayden Allen. Bowden had his best career in the NBL last season averaging just under 16 points per game, but has yet to find his scoring touch, averaging only 6 points in the first two games.

Pistons have cruised in their first two games winning by an average margin of 18 points, thanks to Devendorf who leads the league in scoring at 37 points per game and is shooting the three ball at 72.6%. But the Cougars Winitana and Jeremy Kench have both started the season well and could present some difficulties for the Pistons guards.

On Friday there are four games going on around the league and it includes the Cougars who will have to travel down to New Plymouth to play the Taranaki Mountainairs. The Airs will be one of the most desperate teams in the league to secure their first win this year, currently on a 18 game losing streak.

Airs have shown some major improvements from last year only just losing to the Giants by two in Round One and playing very well in the first half against the Pistons limiting them to only 13 points in the second quarter.

New Zealand Breaker Jeremiah Trueman had his best game yet as an Air scoing 23 against fellow Breakers teammate Tony Ronaldson.
He will go head to head with Cougars import Trent Wurtz who is averaging 10.7 points per game and is second in the league in steals (3.7).

Last time the teams played in New Plymouth Winitana scored a Cougars franchise record 40 points againts Taranaki winning 102-80

In the Furnace the Harbour Heat look to maintain their unbeaten record this season hosting the Wellington Saints, which will be arguably the toughest game they have played this season. Heat cruised in their first two games winning by an average margin of over 15 points.

Heat welcomed their final piece to their roster last week, American Kavossy Franklin who will be familiar to fans of the Australian League where he has played for teams such as the Wollongong Hawks and Sydney Kings whom he won a championship with in 2003.

Franklin showed his class in the win over the Southland Sharks scoring 20 points (8/11 FG, 2/2 3pt). Franklin teams up with Corey Webster who is second in the league in scoring (25.5) and had an incredible 10 steals in the Sharks game. Saints will have their hands full with those two and will still be without Lindsay Tait (ankle).

Former Saint last year Reece Cassidy returns to his hometown Auckland, but is playing for the Harbour Heat for the first time in his career. Cassidy is playing alongside big men Rick Rickert and Beny Anthony who will go head to head against Nick Horvarth and Casey Frank.

In Taradale the Southland Sharks visit the Bay Hawks for a rematch after their franchise debut back in Round One. Sharks showed some courage coming back from a 14 point deficit taking the Hawks to overtime. Unfortunately it would not be the dream start the Sharks were hoping for losing in overtime 105-90.

Sharks guard Mike Rose and Hawks guard Everard Bartlett both had strong games in that encounter scoring 29 and 23 points respectively.

Hawks have won two on the trot after thrashing the Manawatu Jets by 42 points, beginning the game on a ridiculous 35-2 run. Sharks will be desperately hoping for guard Luke Martin to return from Australia, but it is still unsure if he is available.

Another team with two wins in a row is the Nelson Giants and they the host the OceanaGold Nuggets at the Trafalgar Centre.

Giants have had recent dominance over the Nuggets winning the last 12 times, the last time the Nuggets won was back in 2002.

Nuggets have struggled in their first two games, only getting production from their imports Antoine Tisby and Tyler Amaya who are nearly averaging a combined 50 points in the two losses.

Giants Phil Jones is second in the league in scoring (27.7) and is getting to the free throw line on average 11 times.

The Giants also welcomed back Tall Black Mika Vukona who probably is the only player in the league who is able to defensively shut down every playable position.

2010 NBL Media Guide Round Three

(380 KB pdf)

Thursday, March 18

At Te Awamutu Events Centre, Te Awamutu

Waikato Pistons v Christchurch Cougars, 7.30pm

Referees – Gavin Whiu, Tim Brown, Kelly McLeod

Friday, March 19

At North Shore Events Centre, North Shore

Harbour Heat v Wellington Saints, 7pm

Referees – Tim Brown, Miguel Gallardo, Cherryl Crabbe

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountainairs v Christchurch Cougars, 7pm

Referees – Melony Welleans, Gareth Tehan, Kieran Udy

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale

0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks v Zerofees Southland Sharks, 7pm

Referees – Dallas Pickering, Shane Nikora, Wayne Start

At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

Fico Finance Nelson Giants v OceanaGold Nuggets, 7pm

Referees – Raewyn Willocks, Brendan Hodgson, James Campion