The Franklin Bulls tuned up for the National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs with a road victory over the Otago Nuggets.
The Bulls completed a sweep of their South Island double-header with a 99-83 win over the Nuggets at Dunedin's Edgar Centre on Saturday night, eliminating the home team from the battle for the final postseason berth.
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The victory saw the Bulls complete the regular season at 13-7, level in wins with the Taranaki Airs and Wellington Saints, who play their final games on Sunday. The Nuggets ended at 7-13 after winning their first three games.
Former NZ Breakers guard Isaac Davidson dropped five three-pointers to lead six Bulls players in double-digits with an efficient 23 points (8/11 FG, 5/7 3pt), three assists and four steals.
Another former Breaker, big man Sam Timmins, put up 20 points (10/13 FG), 10 rebounds and four assists against his hometown and former Nuggets team, who he won the franchise's maiden NBL title with in 2022.
Ethan Rusbatch had 12 points and three steals, the league's leading scorer Luther Muhammad 11 points and five boards, import forward Lee Skinner 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Dom Kelman-Poto 10 points and eight boards.
The Nuggets' two imports carried the offensive load, with Zaccheus Darko-Kelly going for 20 points (8/18 FG, 4/12 3pt), five rebounds and four assists, and Kimani Lawrence 18 points (8/16 FG) and four assists.
A pair of Kiwi depth players managed season-highs for the Otago, with guard Darcy Knox added 15 points (5/9 FG, 4/8 3pt), six boards, five assists and three steals, and forward Robert Coman 13 points (5/8 FG, 2/4 3pt) and four assists.
The Bulls, who shot 42 percent (12-of-28) from long-range, trailed for just 30 seconds early in the game, before quickly going on a charge to lead by as many as 13 points in the opening quarter.
The Nuggets got within seven in the second period but always in control, Franklin patiently added to their advantage, which peaked at 21 points early in the fourth.
The NBL regular season concludes on Sunday when the Wellington Saints host the Southland Sharks (tip-off 3pm) and the Taranaki Airs welcome the Nelson Giants to New Plymouth (tip-off 6.30pm).
Franklin Bulls 99 (Isaac Davidson 23, Sam Timmins 20, Ethan Rusbatch 12, Luther Muhammad 11, Lee Skinner 10, Dom Kelman-Poto 10) Otago Nuggets 83 (Zaccheus Darko-Kelly 20, Kimani Lawrence 18, Darcy Knox 15, Robert Coman 13). 1Q: 31-22, HT: 58-45, 3Q: 84-66
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