Basketball: Auckland need more grunt to make final

By PETER JESSUP

Waikato look likely to host struggling champs Auckland in a national league semi-final in a fortnight.

Auckland will avoid Waikato only if they win away twice next weekend and Nelson lose at home.

Auckland go to Wellington on Saturday and Palmerston North on Sunday, and can draw level with the Wellington Saints and Nelson Giants. One-on-one results and points differentials would then decide the placings.

The fourth-placed team will go to Hamilton, and the second-placed side hosts the third.

Nelson will finish second if they beat Canterbury on Saturday.

It was failure to execute that cost Auckland when they hosted Nelson on Friday. Big Ben Pepper was crowded out of the game and his frustration showed in missed baskets.

Pepper made five from 15 field goals and five from nine free-throws. His 15 points were a game-high and put him first-equal with Aaron Olsen, but the misses were costly in a one-point game.

A technical foul called on Auckland coach Tab Baldwin when he questioned the refs' calls also proved costly. The home side had just drawn level 57-all midway through the third quarter, and Nelson were able to grab the lead again.

Auckland levelled again for only the second time in the game at 63-all with an Aaron Olsen three-pointer in the closing stages, a suspect foul call deciding things as the Giants closed the scoring at 67-66 from the free-throw line.

Auckland enjoyed the better of the rebounds, but on Friday's form the hosts won't go further than a semi.

They lacked offensive grunt; Waikato are brimming with it.

Baldwin admitted to frustration at the refereeing, and at the way Pepper was swarmed upon. But he said he could handle being beaten by Nelson because he respected the team led by his Tall Blacks assistant coach Nenad Vucinic.

The Tall Blacks in that game had a mostly bad night. Judd Flavell was the best of them, but Auckland's Paul Henare was recovering from flu and way off his game, Nelson's Jones wasn't totally committed, and newcomer Damon Rampton only workmanlike.

Jones bounced back with a game-high 21 and Flavell made 18 as Nelson crossed the bridge to North Harbour on Saturday.

Rampton also improved but the refereeing frustrated Vucinic when his side slumped 73-76.

Import Brian Gomes and recalled Tall Black Brendon Cathie-Pongia top-scored for the Kings with 16 each.

Clifton Bush had a league-high 44 points as Waikato proved themselves worthy round-winners with a 114-98 thumping of Canterbury at home.

In a major upset yesterday, Otago downed previously unbeaten Waikato 99-97 after trailing 36-44 at halftime.

Auckland lack attacking variation, big men and experience. So far defence has saved them. Baldwin still rates them a "real good chance" in the league.

But against the power of Cameron and Bush, assistance from Prem Krishna, Nat Connell, David Hopoi and Riki Strother, all teams will struggle in the finals.

This weekend's draw:

Saturday: Wellington Saints v Blockbuster Auckland, with Saints needing to win to secure a home semifinal; Waikato Titans v North Harbour Kings, Waikato guaranteed first place and the Kings unable to improve their finishing position; Nelson Giants v Canterbury Rams, the Rams able to pull up to fourth-equal, but unable to pass Auckland given two defeats to the Blockbuster side; Hawks v Otago, loser guaranteed the wooden spoon.

Sunday: Palmerston North Jets v Auckland, the Jets also able to draw up to Auckland's 16 points (assuming Auckland have lost to Wellington) but needing to win by 10 points or more to pass them on points differential, Auckland having won the first round.