By PETER JESSUP
The Tall Blacks returned from camp to dominate some national league games at a weekend, when the favourites all won.
Auckland pushed home thanks to late three-pointers after a physical confrontation with North Harbour in the Battle of the Bridge.
The game drew a big crowd to the North
Shore Events Centre despite meaning little to the competition table. Import John Smith had his best game for the Heat, contributing 27 points and unusual energy. Rob Tuilave also pushed hard.
By the last quarter, there was a feeling that these two had been on court too long and the Auckland bench would kill the tiring Heat.
But Harbour closed to within a point with two minutes to go. Tall Black forward Daryl Cartwright and guard Aaron Olson put them away with free shots after Harbour had the lead but conceded a rash of free-throws to close the game up.
Olson and fellow Tall Black Lindsay Tait were shut out of the long-range shooting. Olson played to open shots for others, while Tait took his points from steals and fast breaks to top-score for the Stars with 24.
"It came down to our intensity in defence," said coach Kenny Stone. Tall Black Paora Winitana sank 22 and Paul Henare 16 as Hawkes Bay dumped Otago 91-64 in a game interrupted by blackouts caused by snow.
The second quarter ended 30 seconds early, time was added after the break, but Otago were already gone 42-27. Nuggets Tall Black guard Mark Dickel had top-scored with 24 as they were beaten 93-72 by the Jets on Friday and was lethargic when scoring six as Otago lost again.
Nelson ended Canterbury's playoff hopes with a 97-71 win, Tall Black shooting guard Phill Jones scoring 20 and four steals to back up import Darnell McCulloch's top-score of 27. Alexander Wastney, 17-year-old rookie, scored the Giants' last five points.
Rookie Tall Black forward Brendon Polyblank's enthusiasm for the block gave Wellington a lift as they beat the Jets 86-62 to remain in contention. Waikato beat Taranaki 131-103 and are top of the ladder.
The playoff spots seem likely to be filled by Auckland, Nelson and either the Jets, Hawks or Saints.
