Basketball: Airs eye revenge against Nuggets in Hāwera rematch

File photo by John Velvin

The Taranaki Airs have an immediate chance to make amends when they host the Otago Nuggets at TSB Hub in Hāwera on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides met just a week ago in Dunedin where the Nuggets edged the Airs 91-87 in a game Taranaki coach John White believed slipped through his side's fingers.

"We feel it was one of those ones that probably got away from us," White said on The Most FM Sports Show on Saturday morning.

"Whether that was through fatigue or even myself making some decisions down the stretch that probably weren't of any benefit to us it was a really disappointing one."

The Airs looked out of the contest after trailing by as many as 19 points in the second quarter before producing a dominant third-quarter comeback through increased defensive pressure to take the lead heading into the final period.

However Otago finished stronger to claim the win led by former Airs forward Craig Moller who scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

White said his players had spent the week addressing what went wrong.

"The boys have been awesome on the court this week in preparation. We've got a few things to make up for but we're right there."

The defeat followed the Airs' breakthrough victory over the Southland Sharks and White believed the emotion of that upset may have contributed to a slow start against Otago.

"We've found our identity now. We're the sort of team that needs to play on the edge and we probably didn't show that to start the Otago game. We came out a bit flat."

While disappointed with the result White said there had been plenty of positives particularly from Aaron Cook Jr who produced one of his best performances of the season with 28 points while James Moors and Xavier Green also impressed.

"We've been handing AC the keys a little bit. He's got confidence in himself to go and play but he's also really good at getting other guys involved."

White said Moors had become the team's anchor at both ends of the floor while Green had returned to the form the coaching staff expected after a difficult spell.

Containing Moller remained a major focus heading into the rematch.

"Craig Moller got off against us which was disappointing considering he's an ex-Airs man himself.

"They went a little bit smaller which proved to be a bit of a problem for us but we've got some things in place to combat that."

The Airs also had the advantage of spending the week at home while the Nuggets arrived in Hāwera after a 104-97 loss to the Manawatū Jets on Wednesday night.

White hoped Otago's travel schedule could work in his side's favour.

"They're in a similar position to what we were last week with hopefully a little bit of fatigue and travel pulling that squad down."

With the race for the Sal's NBL Final Six still tight White said the Airs remained in control of their own destiny.

"Our finals hopes are still in our hands which is great and we've got an opportunity to make amends."

Tip-off is at 4.30pm at TSB Hub in Hāwera with the Rapid League curtain-raiser beginning at 3.30pm.