Basketball: Playoff race shaking up in NBL

Hawke's Bay Hawks point guard Jarrod Kenny tied a franchise record with 13 assists in a win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs. Photo / Paul Taylor

The National Basketball League playoff race has taken an interesting twist after the Manawatu Jets threw a spanner in the works last night in Waitakere.

With the Hawke's Bay Hawks and Southland Sharks taking out expected wins over the Taranaki Mountain Airs and Canterbury Rams respectively, the Jets were the side to cause the boilover, toppling the star-studded Supercity Rangers 98-88.

After starting the season with six consecutive losses the Jets have picked up two wins in their last three games, with the return of Jordan Ngatai from injury combining with import Dion Harris finding his feet to spark some strong play.

Harris was the standout last night against the Rangers, hitting seven threes on his way to 28 points (adding four rebounds and six assists), while Nick Horvath battled through his injury problems, providing 16 points and seven rebounds. Young guard Derone Raukawa was also impressive with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists as the Jets benefited from another inconsistent showing from the Auckland-based Rangers side.

Jeff Green's squad has shown the potential to be the best side in the league at times whilst also struggling to put away bottom-feeders, something that was evident last night as the key trio of Tom Garlepp, Reuben Te Rangi and Casey Frank combined to shoot 14/55 from the field.

Although Australian guard Jason Cadee had 26 points, the Rangers shot an abysmal 31% from the field, moving them to 5-4 on the season and right in the mix of the sides fighting for the playoffs.

Those sides include the Sharks and the Rams, who both harbour realistic playoff expectations and clashed last night in Southland, the Sharks proving too good with a 97-84 victory.

The Sharks have significantly improved defensively after a sloppy start to the season, and they received help from a now 5-5 Rams side who went just 4/18 from deep and 10/25 at the line, negating good offensive showings from Kiwi duo Richie Edwards (28 points, seven rebounds) and 18-year-old centre Sam Timmins (15 points, seven rebounds, three blocks).

Southland's star import Todd Blanchfield was again superb with 24 points and five boards, bringing up seven consecutive games of having recorded at least 20 points and five rebounds. Fellow import Kevin Braswell added 12 assists and 22 points, albeit on 20 shots, while New Zealand Breakers teammates Tai Wesley (16 points, six rebounds) and Shea Ili (12 points, five rebounds, six assists) both were productive as the Sharks moved to 4-3 on the season.

Also sticking around in the playoff race are the Hawks, moving to 3-3 on the campaign with a 98-88 win over the Airs.

Former Airs standout and now Hawks import Suleiman Braimoh shone against his former side with 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and four blocks, while Kiwi point guard Jarrod Kenny tied the Hawks' franchise record for assists in a game with 13, equalling Paul Henare's effort against the Waikato Titans in 2005.

Alonzo Burton (17 points, five rebounds), Zack Atkinson (16 points, 10 rebounds) and sharp-shooter Luke Aston (16 points, seven rebounds) showcased Hawke's Bay's depth, all stepping up when called upon for coach Liam Flynn.

The Airs had four players score 19 points or more, but couldn't get enough stops on defence as they remain winless in 2015.

NBL Ladder:

Nelson Giants 7-1
Wellington Saints 7-2
Supercity Rangers 5-4
Southland Sharks 4-3
Canterbury Rams 5-5
Hawke's Bay Hawks 3-3
Manawatu Jets 2-7
Taranaki Mountain Airs 0-8