Basketball: Airs' playoff hopes dashed by Giants in home defeat

Photo by John Velvin

The Taranaki Airs' hopes of reaching the Sal's NBL playoffs came to an end on Wednesday night after a 98-73 loss to the Nelson Giants at TSB Stadium.

The visitors made a flying start, racing to a 24-6 lead in the opening quarter before the Airs settled into the contest.

Brandon Stroud and James Moors helped spark a fightback, with Taranaki reducing the margin to 10 points at one stage. However, the Airs struggled to find consistent scoring outside Stroud, Moors and Marcel Jones as the Giants pulled away in the second half.

Nelson was led by Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Tohi Smith-Milner, who scored 23 points each, while Eemi Luukkonen dominated the glass with 16 rebounds.

Stroud produced another standout performance for Taranaki with 28 points, six assists and four steals. Moors recorded a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while Jones added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Airs were also beaten 39-29 by the Giants in the Rapid League curtain-raiser.

The defeat officially ended Taranaki's playoff hopes, with two away games remaining to finish the season.

The Airs travel to face the Franklin Bulls on Saturday before concluding their campaign against the Auckland Tuatara on Sunday, July 26.

The side slipped to eighth on the table.