Basketball: Auckland reach final after making meal of Nelson

Auckland muscled their way into the NBL final by demolishing Nelson 84-54 in the minor final at Waitakere last night.

They play Hawkes Bay in the final next Friday in Napier.

American centre Kareem Johnson and guard Reece Cassidy came off the bench to each contribute 15 points for Auckland.

"We have had some good matches this season, but as a whole game, I think this was the best performance," Auckland coach Kenny Stone said. "Everyone played well and we didn't really have any patch where we let up."

Auckland had a dream start, racing out to a 24-8 lead after the first quarter, with point guard Lindsay Tait and power forward Casey Frank dominating the scoring.

The home side scored at will in the second quarter, with Nelson reduced to shooting from the outside.

International Ed Book was not on target and ran into foul trouble for the visitors, being subbed off for most of the quarter with three fouls.

The start of the third quarter saw Book again fouled and reduced to the bench.

Nelson were simply not in the game. They missed shots and turnovers, and their star player, Jacob Holmes, was shut down by Dillon Boucher.

Boucher had one of his best games of the season for Auckland, scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Mika Vukona put in a solid effort for Nelson, with 11 rebounds, while Michael Fitchett and Tyrone Barley top-scored for their team with 13 each.

Stone now takes his team to Taradale to defend the title against the Hawks. "They are playing well and have a lot of talented players. We just need to play as collectively as we did tonight."

Auckland Stars 84 (K. Johnson 15, R. Cassidy 15, L. Tait 14, C. Frank 11, D. Boucher 10) Nelson Giants 54 (T. Barley 13, M. Fitchett 13, J. Holmes 8) HT: 43-18.