FOR the final day of the regular 2020 Sal’s National Basketball League (NBL) season, we look at the overall ramifications over the day and what could come from the three remaining matches in the season. To tip off your Saturday afternoon of action is Canterbury Rams up against Franklin Bulls, followed by Nelson Giants up against Otago Nuggets and finally Auckland Huskies taking on Manawatu Jets.

THE MATCHES:

Canterbury Rams (7th) vs. Franklin Bulls (5th)
Nelson Giants (6th) vs. Otago Nuggets (1st)
Auckland Huskies (4th) vs. Manawatu Jets (2nd)

HOW CAN THE LADDER CHANGE?

As it stands the qualifying final and first elimination final is locked in. Otago Nuggets secured top spot on Thursday night with victory over Manawatu Jets, but a Taranaki Mountainairs loss on the same night ensured the Jets will hold onto second spot with winning records over both the Airs and Auckland Huskies. Whilst the Huskies can knock off the Jets in the final game on Saturday, the Jets hold a 2-0 record over them from their previous encounters.

The Huskies can slip down to fifth on the table if they lose and Franklin Bulls topple Canterbury Rams in the opening game of the night. The second game is largely academic with both Nelson Giants and Otago Nuggets locked into their matches next week. If Canterbury Rams upset the Franklin Bulls and break their 10-game losing streak, then it will lock the Bulls into sixth on the table.

HOW DID THE TEAMS FARE IN THEIR PREVIOUS MATCHES?

Canterbury Rams vs. Franklin Bulls

Canterbury Rams (75) def. Franklin Bulls (72)
Taylor Britt (Rams) 19 points, 10 rebounds
Dom Kelman-Poto (Bulls) 20 points, 10 rebounds

Franklin Bulls (102) def. Canterbury Rams (77)
Dom Kelman-Poto (Bulls) 22 points, 7 rebounds
Alex Talma (Rams) 25 points, 7 rebounds

Nelson Giants vs. Otago Nuggets

Otago Nuggets (107) def. Nelson Giants (82)
Jordan Ngatai (Nuggets) 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Nic Trathen (Giants) 21 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals

Otago Nuggets (87) def. Nelson Giants (79)
Jordan Hunt (Nuggets) 26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
Tom Ingham (Giants) 15 points, 5 rebounds 3 assists

Auckland Huskies vs. Manawatu Jets

Manawatu Jets (95) def. Auckland Huskies (67)
Tom Vodanovich (Jets) 38 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals
Taine Murray (Huskies) 16 points, 3 rebounds

Manawatu Jets (105) def. Auckland Huskies (100)
Tom Vodanovich (Jets) 26 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Taine Murray (Huskies) 35 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals

WHO ARE THE PLAYERS TO WATCH ON THE FINAL NIGHT?

• Taylor Britt (Canterbury Rams) 21.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists
• Dom Kelman-Poto (Franklin Bulls) 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals
• Mike Karena (Nelson Giants) 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists
• Jordan Ngatai (Otago Nuggets) 19.8 points, 4.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals
• Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa (Auckland Huskies) 18.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals
• Tom Vodanovich (23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals

LIKELY FINALS:

Elimination Final 1: Nelson Giants vs. Canterbury Rams
Qualifying Final: Otago Nuggets vs. Manawatu Jets
Elimination Final 2: Taranaki Mountainairs vs. Giants/Rams
Elimination Final 3: Auckland Huskies vs. Franklin Bulls