Basketball: Leaders cling on for narrow wins

National Basketball League leaders the Nelson Giants and Waikato Pistons survived final-quarter surges from their opponents to register home wins tonight.

The first-placed Giants pipped the Auckland Stars 77-75 after the Stars drilled 26 points in the final quarter to eat into a 10-point deficit.

However, Nelson held on for their 10th win in 12 matches, boosted by 24 points from in-form guard Phill Jones.

Auckland's late burst was sparked by Hayden Allen, who notched a game-high 28.

The Pistons keep second spot by beating the Hawke's Bay Hawks 77-73, watching a 58-44 three-quarter time lead disappear as the visitors rattled on 29 points.

Waikato's 21-10 win in the third quarter proved decisive, with Adam Ballinger coming alive on his way to 18 points.

- NZPA