Basketball: Crucial games to decide places in NBL finals

By PETER JESSUP

The NBL playoff race is still wide open with the outcome hingeing on two crucial games this week. Auckland host Waikato on Wednesday, then go to Nelson on Saturday.

While Wellington and Hawkes Bay are safely in two of the four finals spots, the Stars must win one more and the Titans need to beat Auckland and Canterbury away.

Manawatu's hopes were effectively ended by an 89-77 defeat by Wellington, who are 12-5 for the season, and with one game against lowly North Harbour to play should finish as defending champions with home-court advantage.

Cairns forward Marcus Timmons has slotted in remarkably well, scoring 17 against the Jets in Palmerston North, guard Terrence Lewis leading with 23.

The Jets hold a countback advantage over Auckland and Nelson after taking the best of the roundplay results, but now rely on other results falling their way.

The Saints hold countback advantage over Auckland and the Hawks so tied competition points would still see them in front.

The Hawks controlled the Titans 82-78 on Saturday and have to be favourites to earn the second home-court playoff place.

Adrian Majstrovich shot 17, new Aussie import Scott McGregor 14, Tall Black Paul Henare 13, Aussie Gary Boodnikoff and Tall Blacks fringe player Daryl Cartwright 11 each.

Even pre-season favourites the Titans couldn't match it, and were out-defended as well as outscored.

The Taranaki Airs beat Harbour 119-102 with Breakers target Willie Banks again Mr Consistent with 28 points, the Airs getting the usual delivery from Link Abrams 24 and Mike Tompson 23.

In Christchurch yesterday Nelson beat the Rams 89-78 with Darnell McCulloch grabbing 25 points for the Giants and Kenny Walker 25 for Canterbury.

In the women's league Harbour had two wins, beating the Wildcats 87-64 and Otago's Breakers 74-63 in Dunedin.

And in Christchurch, the Wildcats beat the Titans 63-55.

The final round: (Home team first)

Wednesday: Hawkes Bay v Taranaki; Auckland v Waikato

Friday: Manawatu v Otago

Saturday: Hawkes Bay v Otago; Taranaki v Canterbury; North Harbour v Wellington; Nelson v Auckland

Sunday: Waikato v Canterbury