POST GAME REPORT - NELSON GIANTS
OTAGO NUGGETS 86 DEF NELSON GIANTS 75
Trafalgar Centre
7 July 2023
Summary
Otago Nuggets overcame a depleted-but-spirited Nelson Giants at Trafalgar Centre on Friday night for their fourth win on the trot to go a step closer to clinching second spot.
After being held to just two points across the first three quarters, Nuggets star Michael Harris produced a strong final term to spark his team to a hard-fought 86-75 victory.
Harris hit 11 in the last including seven in a 90-second blitz as the visitors pulled away late to survive a scare and avoid an upset.
Fellow Perth Wildcats squad member Tai Webster was Otago’s most consistent player when others were uncharacteristically quiet around him, falling two assists shy of a triple-double.
The Tall Blacks sharpshooter, who is yet to lose since arriving at the club, tallied a game-high 22 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a starring role.
Harris praised Webster on his energy and his team for fighting back late.
“We just didn’t match their energy early but credit to us as we fought back,” Harris said.
The Giants were gallant in front of their home fans without two of their most important players in scoring machine Avery Woodson, who was missing with the flu after putting up 36 points last round, and tall Matur Maker (hand injury).
Webster didn’t mince his words at half-time when asked how Otago’s first half went.
“Terrible… it’s absolutely unacceptable,” he said after his team led 38-35.
“There’s no way we should’ve let them score 35 points.”
Scores were tied at 46-apiece before the visitors went on an 8-0 run including consecutive three-pointers from Webster and Nikau Mccullough.
But Nelson answered in a big way to take a shock one-point lead at the final break thanks to two late baskets from Nicolas Trathen who was heating up on his way to a team-high 17 points including two massive dunks.
Nuggets captain Sam Timmins (20 points and six rebounds) was locked in an intriguing battle with opposing centre Callum Mcrae (15 points and 15 rebounds), with both players having their moments.
The second-placed Nuggets have one more game left in the regular season, hosting Taranaki Airs on July 15, before their finals campaign kicks off.
Next Game
The Nuggets are back home for their final game of the season next weekend, taking on the Taranaki Airs at 5.00pm on Saturday 15 July.