Waikato's Kevin Smith jumps for the hoop during the the Heat-Pistons game last night. Photo / Dean Purcell
Pistons 98
Harbour Heat 90
Waikato Pistons claimed the final NBL playoff spot and set up a likely semifinal rematch with a come-from-behind victory over Harbour Heat at the North Shore Events Centre last night.
If Hawkes Bay and Nelson win their final round matches, the Pistons will
be back at the NSEC to face the Heat in a one-off semifinal on June 24.
The Heat, who topped the regular season table with a 14-4 record, will be hoping for no repeat of the meltdown that saw them lead for the first three quarters last night only to be rolled aside in the final five minutes.
With co-captains Hayden Allen and Brent Charleton fouling out with the game on the line - and import Oscar Foreman absent on international duty with Australia - the Heat were left hoping their bench could match it with the hard-charging Pistons.
They couldn't, with slick American Jason Crowe contributing 32 points and seven steals to lead the Pistons to a vital victory.
The Heat were left to rue a contentious charge call on Allen that saw him foul out with just three points in the game and 1m 46s remaining.
"A couple of things didn't go our way and they made some good plays," said forward Daryl Cartwright, who led the Heat with 23 points, 19 of which came in a blistering first half.
Cartwright, who also contributed 16 rebounds, hoped the defeat - the second of the season at the hand of the Pistons - would provide extra motivation for the likely semifinal rematch.
Pistons coach Murray McMahon opted to start with Tall Black star Pero Cameron on the bench, a decision that seemed to backfire as the Heat shot to an early 14-2 lead.
Cameron's introduction sparked a Waikato rally that saw the gap close to four points but, when he again went to the bench to ice his right eye, the Heat kicked clear to lead by 13 at quarter time. But the Pistons slowly pegged back the lead and hit the front for the first time when Crowe nailed a three with 5.15 remaining.
