KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Stars have jumped to the top of the NBL ladder with a third straight victory, defeating the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch yesterday.
The Stars, who began their season with a home defeat by Wellington, are now top equal with defending champions Nelson.
A strong second half propelled the Stars (3-1) to yesterday's 95-86 victory over the Rams (1-2) after they led by just a point at half time.
Tall Blacks forward Casey Frank led the Stars with 23 points, while Dylan Perfect-Tait (21) and Adrian Majstrovich (20) also scored heavily.
Frank was the dominant figure in the Stars' successful double-header weekend, producing a 27-point and nine-rebound performance as they defeated Manawatu 93-73 in Palmerston North on Friday night.
In other round three matches, Harbour Heat (2-1) got their campaign back on track, bouncing back from a round two defeat by Auckland to thrash perennial contenders Hawkes Bay by 27-points on Thursday night.
Waikato Pistons (2-0) remain the only undefeated team in the league after point guard Jason Crowe produced a rare triple-double against Taranaki (1-2) on Saturday.
Crowe, who set a NBL record with 16 assists in the Pistons' campaign-opening victory over Nelson, notched 25 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as he guided the Pistons to a 96-72 victory in Hamilton.
Fellow American Brian Wethers, a former Breakers import, finished with a game-high 36 points.
In the round's remaining game, Wellington Saints (2-2) snapped a two-game skid to score a rare win in Nelson, squeaking past the defending champion Giants 90-89 thanks to 23 points from Nick Horvath. The defeat was the second straight loss for Nelson, who had begun the season 3-0.
Round four begins on Thursday with the Stars taking on the Otago Nuggets (0-2) at ASB Stadium. The Nuggets complete their Auckland double-header with a match against the Heat at the North Shore Events Centre on Friday night.
