Saints have been surprisingly patchy and now that they've lost tall blacks I think they'll slide out of 4th

Agreed, Franklin haven't been great at times but probably deserve 4th more. Airs getting ripped apart by Olbrich and the Rams right now

Lachie Olbrich with an enormous 30 point, 18 rebound double-double (plus 5 assists and 2 steals) leads Canterbury to a 121-94 win over a Jets team who were respectable most of the afternoon. 15 straight for the Rams who lock in a home Semi-Final spot

Olbrich could be the MVP of the league on what I've seen, bettered Froling when playing against him. He’ll need more court time at hawks in the new season.

Commentators shared similar sentiments this evening about his MVP potential and role on the Hawks. He's a walking double double, though his lack of shot blocking was lamented a little by the commentators tonight. Definitely expect to see him averaging 15-20 mins a game, if not more when Frolings having a bad night.

Another fk up by Sixers management. Olbrich an Adelaide lad, spent a season with the Sixers as a DP, goes off to play college quits after one year and then bypasses us and signs a 3 year deal with the Hawks instead.

Olbrich looks like he has genuine potential and now we have to console ourselves with Griscti.

Yeah he is really using this NZNBL campaign to show off his skillset, 36ers are definitely kicking themselves.

Nelson had a chance to lock in the last playoffs spot tonight, but the much improved Sharks don't let it happen, picking up their first road win of the season 98-83. Dan Gridas huge effort of 40 points still wasn't enough for the Giants to win. The result means Tauranga are still a chance at playoffs, thanks to their buzzer beater victory on Thursday. Also a shoutout to Callum MacRae with the seasons first triple-double, 22pts, 21rebs, 11asts.

I hope the Whai can make a late season surge, Franklin and Nelson both pissing their finals chances away.

Winner going to be out of the Rams and Saints I feel

Agreed, I'm very much hoping for the Whai to take 6th as well. Seems very hard to see anyone but Canterbury winning the championship right now

Big round of hoops starting tonight with Wellington hosting Tauranga. Whai need the W to keep the playoff dream alive, let's see if they can get it done

Taranaki likely out of the running now after losing froling to summer league

Agree can't see anyone beating the rams for the title

Agree Kolzee, Tuatara the only team left who could realistically challenge the Rams for the championship.

Saints get the job done 100-92 over a decent Tauranga outfit. Playoff dreams over for the Whai, who have still had a more than respectable debut season. Good on the offensive end tonight but couldn't get a defensive stop to save their lives. Order still to be determined but Auckland, Canterbury, Taranaki, Wellington, Franklin and Nelson locked in as the final 6.

I'm aware there's a world where Hawkes Bay could still knock Nelson out of 6th, but would be one hell of a miracle.

Otago take care of Nelson 88-79 tonight. The Giants play their last home game of the year to finish just 2-8 in Nelson, but have been solid enough on the road to make the 6. Sam Dempster shot an atrocious 2-14 from the field tonight.

Hawkes Bay take care of Manawatu 97-78. The win keeps the Hawks small playoff chances alive. Shoutout to ex-Taipan Josh Roberts on the seasons most insane statline: 26pts, 29rebs and 3blks. Hawks all time record for individual rebounds in a game!!!

A thrilling 84-83 win for Tauranga over Manawatu caps off a very solid debut season for the Whai. 8-12, sniffed playoffs, and good home crowds season long. A win for the league who will look to have similar success with Queenstown next year. Good foundations laid for Tauranga who could be a problem next year. One more game to go for Manawatu before their season from hell finally ends.

Looks like Manawatu are going to lose again, finishing the season with a very sad record of 1-19. The worst record since Hawke's Bay went winless in 2016 (0-18)

With the regular season complete tonight it's time for Playoffs! Beginning on Wednesday with Taranaki hosting Nelson for a semi final spot vs Canterbury. Then on Friday night Wellington host Franklin for a semi final spot against Auckland. Grand Final predictions? I’m going Canterbury vs Franklin. I could see the Bulls going on a fairytale run and knocking off both Wellington and Auckland.

Taranaki take care of business 87-74 over Nelson. A solid season for the giants comes to a close, while the Airs will take on Canterbury on Sunday afternoon for a spot in the final.

Wow the giants didn't look flash. No movement and fotu looking very limited as their top scorer.

Hoping for a saints loss next because they've been acting like Muppets all season

Agreed Kolzee, wouldn't mind Franklin smacking them up by 20+

Now THIS is a bizarre Friday morning read- https://nznbl.basketball/breaking-new-ground-indian-nbl-seeks-entry-into-nbl-and-tauihi-leagues/
What does this mean for the proposed Queenstown team entering the league next season? Will that license be handed to this new team? All very strange

Yeah it is quite bizarre although as I read it I started to see some sense in it from a league point of view.

The main issue will be that the team won't be financially viable so the owners will need to be willing to accept the loss as part of developing talent for their own league I suppose

Yeah well said on the financial side of things. I suppose India has such an untapped potential so who knows? This could be very successful. What confuses me is why they'd put this team in NZ, and not a league closer to home like China or Japan.

Yeah true, I can't answer that!

Franklin tonight surely?

The Big Duke, that's sure what I'm hoping for! If they don't kill themselves with opposition 3s, avoid foul trouble, they're a good chance

Wow, was hoping for a good bulls performance but wasn't expecting this. Being given good looks and making them!

Not helping the saints when they start trying to shoot their way out of the slump

Ikr, expected them to be ahead but never could've seen that coming. Expect the Saints to start a comeback this 3rd quarter, but surely can’t come back from this

Gotta feel for Hyrum Harris, doing everything for the saints. Absolutely outstanding at both ends

Agreed, he's been great nearly every second he's been on the court this year. Assuming the greatest comeback ever doesn't happen and the Bulls get this W, how good will Auckland vs Franklin be!? The Bulls have had a full year to think about what happened last year, can they catch Auckland lacking?

How good is Luther Muhammad!?

Yeah and there's more to him than his straight out shooting. Which in itself is outstanding.

Well, I am thoroughly looking forward to Auckland vs Franklin now! But before that there's the business of Canterbury vs Taranaki. Can the Airs do the unthinkable and knock out the Rams?

What an awesome first half between Canterbury and Taranaki, 2 teams capable of winning the championship desperate to make the GF

Wow, Flynn Cameron with a huge 3 to put this game into overtime. Canterbury were up 9 with a minute on the clock, incredible

and now Carlin Davison on the buzzer to force double OT! One of the greatest games in NZNBL history this!

Olbrich with the game winner for the Rams, they win 112-111 after 50 sensational minutes of hoops. Heartbreak for the Airs and Carlin Davison, who can hold their heads high. We await Wednesday night to see their Grand Final opponent.

Yeah, pretty amazing stuff. And what a finish!

I hadn't followed them to date, so didn’t realise it was Sammy Mac coaching against Judd Flavell

Yep, 2 excellent coaches with teams full of talent going head to head. Have to wonder if Flavell was at least considered for the Breakers head coaching position

Olbrich is a fantastic player, will put so much pressure on Froling starting place this season.

Agreed Dunkman, every chance at NZ MVP, could be a shot at NBL most-improved too

Olbrich has significantly outplayed Froling this year, it will be interesting if he can stay out of foul trouble in the NBL to make the most of his opportunities. Gun player

Incredible game. Great to watch. Shame the result wasn't what I wanted!

Think carlin has the most improved award won but olbrich very good.

Agreed on Carlin winning NZNBL Most Improved, I was referring to Olbrich a chance at Australian NBL most improved, we'll see what his minutes on the Hawks are like though. Tip for Auckland vs Franklin?

I think Franklin are peaking at the right time, I have them winning tomorrow night.
Te Rangi very suspect when it comes to games that matter. The only way I see the Bulls getting cooked is if Timmins ends up in foul trouble, whilst on the Nuggs he had always done a great job vs Loe.

$1.01 that Auckland will complain all game and receive multiple techs when losing in the 2nd half

Agreed, expect the Bulls to get up in a close (ish) one, and Auckland to complain. Now a Canterbury vs Franklin final would be interesting, with the Bulls the only team to beat the Rams twice in the regular season

Hmmm, picking auckland to win but def supporting the bulls!

Awards Recap

= Rapid League All-Star 5: Hayden Jones, Kazlo Evans Jr, Nick Davidson, Kaia Isaac, Josh Aitcheson

= Rapid League MVP: Kaia Isaac

= Most Outstanding Guard: Luther Muhammad

= Coach of the Year: Judd Flavell

= Most Improved Player: Taylor Britt

= Defensive Player of the Year: Rob Loe

= All-Star 5: Taylor Britt, Isaiah Moore, Luther Muhammad, Rob Loe, Lachlan Olbrich

= Youth Player of the Year: Lachlan Olbrich

= MVP: Lachlan Olbrich

Well done to Olbrich, if he takes this confidence and form into the nbl, Froling will be looking over his shoulder. A nice predicament for the hawks.

Absolutely, give it a few seasons and he could be one of the most elite big men in the NBL

A big last quarter sees Auckland take care of business 78-75, and it's a grand final rematch between the Rams and Tuatara. Good season for Franklin comes to a disappointing close, they should've won tonight. Personally I think the Bulls would've been a better GF opponent for Canterbury than Auckland but we'll see. Rams vs Tuatara becoming New Zealand's Cavs vs Warriors lol.

Franklin folded like a deck chair, Timmins owned Loe again but the Bulls guards were no where to be found in the 4th. Cant get myself to like that Auckland team, go Rams on Sunday!

Agreed, Franklin will really be kicking themselves. That game was theirs till the 4th quarter

Grand Final Day baby! What are people thinking? Will the Rams go back to back or will Auckland take their first championship?
My tip- Rams by 5, Olbrich to win GF MVP

Rams up 9 at QT. Game could be over by the half

Amazing fightback from Auckland puts them up 1 at halftime. Stage is set for a massive final 20 minutes

Rams wrestle back control in front of an electric home crowd. Up 6 with 10 minutes to play, what an incredible game

Loe fouls out, could that be the moment which secures the title for the Rams?

Classless from Webster, very hard to like this Auckland team, and it seems they're about to lose a 3rd straight final

A huge last quarter from Canterbury, and they're the 2024 Champions! Back to back titles, we may very well be seeing a dynasty right now. They were the best team all year, Olbrich the MVP, Brown, Isac, Darling and Britt excellent contributors, Walker and Buffen brilliant imports, a 4th title as a coach for Judd Flavell. Commiserations to Auckland, a strong season but yet again failed to deliver on the biggest stage. Bring on 2025!

Olbrich stats are unbelievable, I haven't seen the game but Auckland squad looks like a lot big names not playing well. Congratulations to Canterbury.

Pretty much correct dunkman, yet again Auckland load up on talent, have a strong campaign but crumble at the final hurdle. Olbrich has truly been a beast all year, commentators even touting him as an NBA prospect

I'm going to be watching closely how the balance his time and Froling at the hawks, he’d be so valuable at most clubs, still young but so much potential. He’s a real nba prospect imo, not a pretender like some.

For sure, Hawks may end up with a very nice problem of 2 elite big men fighting for minutes