Pistons Pumping
Tagged in: NBL
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While the world was distracted, the U Park It Waikato Pistons suddenly (and quietly) became the hottest team in the Dominion Finance NBL.
Old school Pistons coach Murray McMahon winces at the suggestion, but while the Giants were ending the Heatís seven-game winning tear, and the Stars and Saints were (literally and figuratively) beating each other up, his team peeled off their fourth straight victory, 88-58 over Inspire Net Manawatu Jets on Saturday night.
And they did it without one of the key figures in their dramatic recent change of fortunes – American centre Jason Fraser – who flew home Friday with a broken finger.
ìYouíve got to keep things in perspective,î cautions McMahon. ìWeíve only had one of the top teams in that four Ö but they were still pretty good teams who I think will win a few games before the season is over.î
Waikato got off to a stuttering 1-4 start to their league schedule, upsetting highly fancied Century City Wellington Saints in the opening round, but then mixing two byes among losses to 2006 semifinalists Blue Chip Nelson Giants, Easy LPG Bay Hawks, Youthtown Auckland Stars and Saints in the return.
ìWe played the top teams early on when we were still settling in,î reflects McMahon. ìWeíve settled in a bit more now.î
In recent weeks, Aussie/Kiwi point guard Luke Martin has raised his game a notch to average 20.6 points (55% FG, 39.4% 3pt, 85.7% FT), 3.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists over his last five appearance, including 30 points/nine assists in the loss to Saints.
While he was more subdued against Manawatu (11 points/five assists/five rebounds), McMahon still considered it one of his better performances.
ìThat game was one where someone could play very well without having to score. Pero Cameron often doesnít feature in the stats, but has a big affect on the game Ö last night, I thought Luke ran the offence better than he ever has.
ìI really liked his leadership role on the court.î
Fraser was the other to spark the Pistonís rally. He had arrived in New Zealand, billed as a potential NBA performer whose college career had been blighted by knee injuries. Those knees were still dodgy, limiting him to just 7.7 points (42.1% FG), 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 turnovers through his first six outings.
Then, he simply exploded with 32 points (11/11 FG) and 11 rebounds in a 106-99 road win over TET Taranaki Mountain Airs, and followed that up with another ìdouble doubleî (17points/11 rebounds) against Cartridge World Otago Nuggets.
ìJason split the index finger on his left hand lengthways,î explains McMahon. ìWeíre not sure how it happened, but we got advice from two specialists that he would be out for five weeks.
ìHeís still only 24 and has a lot of playing time in him. He didnít want to risk permanent injury and we couldnít afford to wait that long for him.î
Fraserís departure may actually be a blessing in disguise. The Pistons roster was blessed with big bodies, probably too many if thatís possible, while being decidedly thin in the backcourt.
After struggling for court time previously this season, NZ Tall Black Benny Hill enjoyed 33 minutes on court against the Jets and led his team with 20 points (7/11 FG, 2/4 3pt, 4/4 FT), eight rebounds, two steals and a block to remind everyone of his breakout season last year.
With former international Mike Homik also receiving more burn, McMahon has been encouraged to seek a combo guard to replace Fraser.
ìWe know weíre exposed if Luke gets in foul trouble or injured, weíre looking for someone to cover 1-3 spots.î
It is unlikely that reinforcement will arrive in time for Thursdayís televised match-up against the suddenly cooled Heat, who will be desperate to prove their 24-point capitulation to Nelson last week was merely an anomaly.
ìHarbour are still 7-1,î says McMahon. ëI donít think one loss indicates they are on a downhill slide.
ìThey will be tough, but we are starting to play well Ö more precise on offence and more organized on defence. It will be a close game.î
Hot … Not!
| Team | Streak | Last Five | Overall |
| U Park It Waikato Pistons | Four wins | 4-1 | 5-4 |
| Youthtown Auckland Stars | Three wins | 4-1 | 9-2 |
| Century City Wellington Saints | One win | 3-2 | 7-4 |
| Easy LPG Bay Hawks | One win | 3-2 | 6-4 |
| TET Taranaki Mountain Airs | One win | 2-3 | 5-7 |
| Appliance Shed Harbour Heat | One loss | 4-1 | 7-1 |
| Blue Chip Nelson Giants | One loss | 3-2 | 8-4 |
| Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams | One loss | 1-4 | 2-8 |
| Inspire Net Manawatu Jets | Four losses | 1-4 | 2-8 |
| Cartridge World Otago Nuggets | Nine losses | 0-5 | 1-10 |
Dominion Finance NBL (Round Nine)
Wednesday, May 2
Palmerston North
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 101 (Paora Winitana 25, Andrew Rice 24, Everard Bartlett 16, Kareem Johnson 11) Inspire Net Manawatu Jets 73 (Reece Cassidy 16, Matt Te Huna 15, George Byrd 14, Aaron Nowell 13)
Quarter 28-21
Halftime 51-38 (23-17)
Threequarter 80-64 (29-26)
Fulltime 101-73 (21-9)
Thursday, May 3
North Shore
Blue Chip Nelson Giants 83 (Josh Pace 23, Chris Daniel 18, Michael Fitchett 14, Marcus Watts 11) Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 59 (Tim Behrendorff 14, Oscar Forman 10, Nat Connell 10)
Quarter 23-19
Halftime 41-36 (18-17)
Threequarter 59-53 (18-17)
Fulltime 83-59 (24-6)
Wellington
Youthtown Auckland Stars 108 (Lindsay Tait 33, Josh Clark 24, Casey Frank 19) Century City Wellington Saints 106 (Nick Horvath 29, Troy McLean 16)
Quarter 31-30
Halftime 61-55 (30-25)
Threequarter 86-77 (25-22)
Fulltime 108-106 (22-29)
Christchurch
Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams 80 (Michael Joiner 23, Jeremy Kench 17, Mychal Green 16, Paul McFarlin 10) Cartridge World Otago Nuggets 70 (Branduinn Fullove 21, Justin Bailey 19, Miles Pearce 11, Darryl Jones 10)
Quarter 14-17
Halftime 38-28 (24-11)
Threequarter 57-47 (19-19)
Fulltime 80-70 (23-23)
Friday, May 4
New Plymouth
TET Taranaki Mountain Airs 73 (Garry Hill-Thomas 26, Link Abrams 16, Ben Jeffrey 12) Blue Chip Nelson Giants 64 (Mike Fitchett 20, Josh Pace 16)
Quarter 17-17
Halftime 32-37 (15-20)
Threequarter 50-48 (18-11)
Fulltime 73-64 (23-16)
Saturday, May 5
Wellington
Century City Wellington Saints 87 (Nick Horvath 27, Troy McLean 13, Leon Henry 13, George Leafa 11, Jonathon Southey 10) Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams 79 (Michael Joiner 22, Mychal Green 22, Jeremy Kench 18)
Quarter 27-21
Halftime 46-40 (19-19)
Threequarter 60-59 (14-19)
Fulltime 87-79 (27-20)
Hamilton
U Park Waikato Pistons 88 (Ben Hill 20, Kevin Smith 19, Puke Lenden 14, Pero Cameron 11, Luke Martin 11) Inspire Net Manawatu Jets 58 (Brandon Payton 20)
Quarter 24-19
Halftime 47-34 (23-15)
Threequarter 71-46 (24-12)
Fulltime 88-58 (17-12)
