Basketball: Bludgeoned Hawks may miss playoff after defeat

Kareem Johnson, Luke Ashton, and Mataeus Marsh look on as the winless Hawks see their playoff chances slip away.

The Hawks are in danger of missing out on the National Basketball League playoffs after their seventh consecutive loss in a winless season.

Coach Kirstin Daly-Taylor and her Indigo-sponsored troops have found no joy on the road either, losing 107-83 to the Mike Pero Nelson Giants on Saturday on the heels of another three-figure flogging, 106-63, at the hands of the Wellington Saints the night before.

At the Trafalgar Centre, the hosts racked up their sixth victory as Raymond Cowells claimed a game-high 34 points, converting six of his 12 three- pointers.

Finn Delany claimed a double-double 14 points and as many rebounds, and captain Sam Dempster added 14 points as the Giants shot 41 per cent from outside the arc.

The Aidan Daly-captained Hawks made a robust start, trailing 27-25 in the first quarter but the Giants upped the tempo to claim a 14-point lead by halftime.

The don't-argue fend came in the final quarter to the tune of a 27-8 statement.

Veterans Kareem Johnson (20 points) and Paora Winitana (14) led the way for the Hawks leaders who are missing an import after Chris Porter returned to the United States last Tuesday because of a season-ending hamstring injury.

They are also without injured guard Alonzo Burton and forward Darryl Jones.

Before hitting the road for the double header, Daly said it was unlikely the franchise would sign up another import despite sister/coach Daly-Taylor saying last weekend "watch this space" and "call me on Wednesday".

Franchise general manager Jay Bratschi said there were no developments on the matter.