The NBS Nelson Giants have urgent issues to remedy after slipping to the bottom of the table following a 102–96 loss to Hawke’s Bay at the Trafalgar Centre on Sunday night. If the Giants were hoping a return to the friendly confines of the Hangar would spark a turnaround in form, it will need to wait at least another week, with the Hawks scrapping their way to just their second win of the Sal’s NBL season.
In a clash between two teams languishing near the wrong end of the ladder, it was Hawke’s Bay who looked the more desperate from the opening tip. Former Giant Dan Grida set the tone early and, with Hawks centre Chase Jeter gobbling up multiple misses, the visitors raced to a 21–10 lead inside the first five minutes. It did not improve by the first break, with coach Fitchett left frustrated as the Giants trailed 27–16.
Whatever was said at quarter-time had an immediate effect, with the home side lifting their defensive intensity. Freshly reshoed Eemi Luukkonen began to control the glass and it was only a matter of time before the Giants’ backcourt caught fire.Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Alex McNaught knocked down key shots and, helped by the customary Liam Judd dunk or two, the Giants edged ahead to lead 46–44 at halftime.
The message from the coaching staff at the main break was clear: attack the rim. Three-point attempts were replaced by driving pressure, and the Giants were rewarded by putting the Hawks into the foul limit with six minutes still remaining in the third quarter.Relentless on offence, the home side took a deserved six-point advantage into the final change, leading 73–67.
The Hawks were far from finished. With five minutes remaining they had clawed their way back in front, 83–82, led by an outstanding performance from Keanu Rasmussen, who finished with a game-high 39 points. A herculean effort was required to regain control, but the Giants were unable to deliver when it mattered most. Kruz led Nelson with 22 points but limped off injured with three minutes to play, a sight that will have Giants fans hoping the issue is only a minor niggle. Luukkonen was also influential, posting 21 points and eight rebounds, but it was the final score that told the story.
