Basketball: Polished Kings take the shine off Nuggets

North Harbour Kings blocked any chance the Otago Nuggets had of striking gold and their first win of the season in the southern team's National Basketball League Northern double header.

The Poenamo Kings' big imports Purnell Perry and Robert Wilson teamed up well for a polished display at the North Shore Events Centre on Saturday to keep their home-court victories intact, beating Otago 110-96.

On Friday in Hamilton, Waikato downed Otago 92-83.

Harbour had control from the first quarter, from Perry, Wilson, Brendon Cathie-Pongia and veteran Ronnie Joyner.

The Kings stole the show in the next quarter, Perry doing the damage, executing some great shots under heavy defence.

Guard Dylan Chase fed the ball well, with a couple of superb back passes for Perry to take easy lay-ups. Brad Riley was a marked player by Otago and was crushed under the post, leaving him to take his points from the free- throw line.

Harbour led 52-42 at the break. With the Olympic Games calling, Cathie-Pongia was outstanding for Harbour, with five three-pointers and a game-high of 23.

Perry finished on 26 and took 13 rebounds, with Wilson on 17 and nine rebounds.

Rebel Sport Auckland came back from being five points down at halftime to post their third win of the season, against Wellington Saints, 110-105.

Matt Barnett top-scored for Auckland with 21, while Charles Jones on 39 and Terrence Lewis on 34 went on a scoring spree for Wellington.

The Palmerston North Jets had a successful weekend, beating Canterbury 132-94 at home on Saturday and travelling to Hastings yesterday to beat the Hawks 105-78.

The Hawks had a tough round, also taking a battering from the Nelson Giants, 122-89, on Saturday.