The Canterbury Rams and Hawke’s Bay Hawks have opened the National Basketball League (NBL) preseason tournament with wins.
The two-time defending champion Rams routed the Manawatū Jets 93-60, while the Hawks defeated the Franklin Bulls 98-86 on day one of the Westside Blitz in Westport on Tuesday.
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The Isaac brothers, Tama and Kaia, combined for 38 points for the Rams, who were without Kiwi guard Taylor Britt and their imports.
Tama Isaac had a game-high 21 points (7/10 FG, 4/4 3pt) and Kaia Isaac 17 points (8/15 FG), six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Tawhiri Cate produced 14 points (5/8 FG) and six boards, and Mana Martin 10 points (3/5 FG, 4/4 FT).
The Jets, with their three American imports but without Tall Blacks guard Corey Webster, were led by Tinashe Matambanadzo, with 16 points (6/14 FG), while Miles Gibson had 15 points (5/15 FG, 5/6 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Recent Tall Black Jackson Ball put up a game-high 25 points (7/13 FG, 9/10 FT), five boards and three assists for the Hawks, while Jacob Murphy had 17 points (6/11 FG, 3/6 3pt) and Campbell Scott 15 points (5/11 FG, 5/11 3pt).
Christian Vano put up 25 points (8/16 FG, 3/7 3pt, 6/6 FT) and eight assists for the Bulls, with KC Nwafor racking up a double-double with 12 points (5/8 FG) and 13 rebounds, and veteran Marcel Jones 11 points (4/7 FG, 3/5 3pt) and eight boards.
Tuesday's other game, between the Auckland Tuatara and Otago Nuggets in Greymouth, was cancelled after the Tuatara's flight from Auckland was delayed.
The Westside Blitz continues on Wednesday with the Nelson Giants facing the Bulls (tip-off 5.15pm) and Tauranga Whai battling the Jets (tip-off 7.30pm) in Westport, and the Taranaki Airs playing the Nuggets (tip-off 7.30pm) in Greymouth.