Purchase Tickets Here<\/a><\/p>\nLast Time They Met<\/p>\n
The Mills Albert Wellington Saints defeated the Night \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets 96-90 in Wellington on June 7.<\/p>\n
It was a thriller in the capital, with Otago arriving chomping at the bit to steal one on the road. The Nuggets started brilliantly, pouring in 32 first-quarter points behind a strong shooting performance from Ethan Rusbatch. Otago\u2019s pace, spacing and confidence put the Saints under early pressure.<\/p>\n
Wellington responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Nuggets by 10 to bring the game level at 46-46 at the halftime break. From there, the Saints began to exert more control over the play on both sides of the court. Elijah Pepper generated a personal 15-point scoring run to start the third , flipping the momentum and giving Wellington a lead they would not relinquish.<\/p>\n
Otago kept up the chase, but the Saints pushed the margin out to 14 in the fourth and did enough late to hold the visitors at arms length eventually defending their home court.<\/p>\n
Mills Albert Wellington Saints: Elijah Pepper 33p, 6r, 2a; Carlin Davison 15p, 11r, 3a; Akech Aliir 13p, 8r, 2a
\nNight \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets: Ethan Rusbatch 23p, 3r, 2a; Buay Tuach 17p, 1r, 2a; Craig Moller 13p, 14r, 5a<\/p>\n
Last Time Out<\/p>\n
The Saints defeated the NBS Nelson Giants 111-109 in overtime.<\/p>\n
The game tipped off after\u00a0 24 hour delay due to inclement weather, but Nelson were competitive from the jump and the two sides battled through a tight first half before Wellington seized momentum to create a double-digit margin in third. The Giants erased that deficit before the fourth quarter would arrive, and from there the game stayed tight into the final minutes, where missed Jordan Hunt free throws gave the Giants the ball with an opportunity to wins in regulation. A Hyrum Harris steal would force extra time, a foreboding sign for a Giants team that had experienced a difficult travel schedule to get to the weather ravaged capital.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Saints found enough big plays late, but Nelson had a final chance to steal it down the stretch. Liam Judd came up big as the Giants scraped back into the contest, as a Donte Ingram trip to the free throw line went 1-2, giving the Giants the ball down 1 with 8 seconds left. The G-men went back to the Gatling well, but the last attempt to win the game did not fall, sealing a thrilling victory that saw the Saints escape with a key result.<\/p>\n
Mills Albert Wellington Saints: Donte Ingram 26p, 7a, 4r; Braydon Iuli 18p, 2r, 2s; Jordan Hunt 16p, 8r, 8a
\nNBS Nelson Giants: Shane Gatling 33p, 4r, 5a; Tohi Smith-Milner 19p, 10r, 4a; Liam Judd 16p, 2r, 1a<\/p>\n
The Nuggets defeated the Airs 90-77.<\/p>\n
It was a low-scoring first quarter as both teams took time to warm up, but Otago settled first and built a 16-11 lead after the opening term. The Airs were stronger in the second quarter, scoring 18 points, but the Nuggets answered with 23 of their own to keep control heading into halftime.<\/p>\n
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with Otago\u2019s defence limiting clean looks and the Nuggets taking advantage whenever the Airs\u2019 pressure did not create turnovers. Taranaki tried to make a fourth-quarter push, but Otago closed the door with a collective effort.<\/p>\n
With 27 combined steals between the teams, it was a game defined by defensive pressure and disruption, but the Nuggets handled the chaos better.<\/p>\n
Airs: Brandon Stroud 20p, 7r, 4a, 2s; James Moors 14p, 12r, 2s, 2b; Aaron Cook Jr 11p, 4a, 7s
\nNight \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets: Buay Tuach 21p, 6r, 4a; Alain Louis 17p, 7r, 6a, 3s; Ethan Rusbatch 16p, 5r, 5a<\/p>\n
What to Expect
\nProjected Starters<\/p>\n
Night \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets
\nG: Alain Louis
\nG: Ethan Rusbatch
\nG: Tyson Thata-Paese
\nF: Buay Tuach
\nF: Craig Moller\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mills Albert Wellington Saints
\nG: Elijah Pepper
\nG: Braydon Iuli
\nF: Donte Ingram
\nF: Hyrum Harris
\nF: Akech Aliir<\/p>\n
The first thing Wellington needs to figure out is how to replace the all-court impact of Carlin Davison and Izayah Le\u2019afa.<\/p>\n
The Saints lead the league in scoring over 99 points and dishing the most assists in the league at 25.9 per game, but both Davison and Le\u2019afa have been central to that flow. Le\u2019afa averages 7.6 assists, while Davison produced in every statistical category with 12.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Without them, more of the creation burden shifts to Pepper, Harris, Ingram, Iuli and Hunt.<\/p>\n
Pepper remains the first name on the scouting report. He leads the league at 29.0 points per game and has already damaged Otago once this season with a 33-point performance in the first meeting. If he gets downhill and finds rhythm from three, the Saints can still generate elite offence even without their usual backcourt depth.<\/p>\n
For Otago, Rusbatch\u2019s status could be a deciding factor. He is their leading scorer and one of their most reliable perimeter threats, but he is listed as questionable with a calf injury. No matter who is available Tuach and Moller will need to find form from deep while Louis will need to create opportunities for his teammates while taking care of the rock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Nuggets\u2019 best path is to defend, control turnovers and turn the game into a halfcourt grind. They are fifth in steals, fourth equal in turnover margin and second in three-point percentage defence, so they have the tools to make Wellington uncomfortable. If they can pressure the ball without giving up easy looks they will be in great shape to protect their homecourt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wellington\u2019s needs energy and activity. Even without Le\u2019afa and Davison, the Saints still have multiple avenues to offence, both in transition and the halfcourt. If Harris, Ingram, Aliir and Hunt can keep connected around Pepper\u2019s scoring, they can continue to play at the pace and efficiency that has made them one of the league\u2019s best attacks.<\/p>\n
Matchup to Watch: Elijah Pepper v Otago\u2019s Perimeter Defence<\/p>\n
Pepper is the league\u2019s most explosive scorer, averaging 29.0 points per game, and he has already shown he can take control of this matchup. His 33-point performance in the first meeting included a decisive personal scoring burst that flipped the game in Wellington\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n
Otago will need a full-team answer. Tuach, Thata-Paese, Rusbatch, Miller-Jose and Bardsley may all spend time trying to slow him down, but the key will be limiting the easy ones. Pepper can score in transition, punish switches, get to the line and hit deep threes, so the Nuggets have to make every touch difficult.<\/p>\n
If Pepper gets into rhythm early, Wellington\u2019s offence can survive its missing playmakers. If Otago can make him work through bodies and force the Saints into late-clock offence, the Nuggets can keep this close enough to give themselves a chance.<\/p>\n
Matchup to Watch: Craig Moller v Hyrum Harris, Akech Aliir and Jordan Hunt<\/p>\n
Moller\u2019s rebounding is paramount to the Nuggets chances. He is averaging 14.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists, and his ability to impact the defensive glass will be vital against a Saints team that ranks third in offensive rebounds per game and first in rebounding margin.<\/p>\n
The Saints will throw a strong frontcourt group at him. Harris brings energy, passing and rebounding, Aliir is efficient around the rim and active defensively, and Hunt gives Wellington another strong interior scorer and shot-blocker off the bench.<\/p>\n
If Moller controls the glass, with the help of Isaac Miller-Jose, Matthew Bardsley and Zach McKenzie off the bench, Otago can reduce Wellington\u2019s second-chance opportunities and create extra possessions of its own. If the Saints frontcourt keeps him limited on the perimeter while winning the rebounding battle, Wellington\u2019s depth of talent will be hard to match.<\/p>\n
Individual Leaders
\n
\n
\n
\nCategory
\nNight \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets
\nMills Albert Wellington Saints
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nLeading scorer
\nRusbatch 17.9 \/ Tuach 16.5 \/ Moller 14.8
\nPepper 29.0 \/ Aliir 14.9 \/ Ingram 13.1
\n
\n
\nLeading rebounder
\nMoller 10.5 \/ Miller-Jose 6.9 \/ Tuach 5.8
\nHarris 7.8 \/ Aliir 7.4 \/ Davison 7.2
\n
\n
\nLeading assists
\nLouis 6.1 \/ Moller 2.9 \/ Tuach 2.3
\nLe\u2019afa 7.6 \/ Davison 6.8 \/ Harris 4.8
\n
\n
\nBest FG%
\nMiller-Jose 59% \/ Bardsley 49% \/ Tuach 48%
\nIuli 61% \/ Hunt 60% \/ Aliir 56%
\n
\n
\nBest 3PT FG%
\nTuach 44% \/ Rusbatch 37% \/ Moller 31%
\nMunir 60% \/ Iuli 44% \/ Chunga 41%
\n
\n
\nBlocks
\nMiller-Jose 0.7 \/ McKenzie 0.3 \/ Tuach 0.2
\nHunt 1.2 \/ Aliir 0.7 \/ Davison 0.5
\n
\n
\nSteals
\nMiller-Jose 1.8 \/ Rusbatch 1.4 \/ Moller 1.3
\nPepper 2.9 \/ Davison 2.1 \/ Aliir 1.1
\n
\n
\nMinutes
\nRusbatch 32.8 \/ Moller 32.3
\nPepper 34.0 \/ Davison 30.3
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Stats that Matter
\n
\n
\n
\nStat
\nNight \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets
\nMills Albert Wellington Saints
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nPoints Per Game
\n86.3 ppg (8th)
\n99.1 ppg (1st)
\n
\n
\nPoints Allowed Per Game
\n87.4 ppg (3rd)
\n89.1 ppg (4th)
\n
\n
\nScoring Margin
\n-1.1 (5th)
\n+9.9 (3rd)
\n
\n
\nField Goal %
\n44% (7th)
\n50% (1st)
\n
\n
\nField Goal % Defence
\n46% (6th)
\n46% (5th)
\n
\n
\nFree Throw %
\n67% (10th)
\n74% (2nd)
\n
\n
\n3-Point %
\n32% (7th)
\n33% (6th)
\n
\n
\n3-Point % Defence
\n31% (2nd)
\n33% (7th)
\n
\n
\n3-Point FG Made
\n8.8 (8th)
\n10.6 (3rd)
\n
\n
\nRebounds Per Game
\n39.5 (9th)
\n43.8 (3rd)
\n
\n
\nRebounding Margin
\n-2.3 (8th)
\n+6.6 (1st)
\n
\n
\nOffensive Rebounds Per Game
\n9.7 (9th)
\n11.2 (3rd)
\n
\n
\nDefensive Rebounds Per Game
\n26.3 (8th)
\n29.6 (2nd)
\n
\n
\nOffensive Rebound %
\n26% (7th)
\n31% (3rd)
\n
\n
\nDefensive Rebound %
\n72% (8th)
\n76% (2nd)
\n
\n
\nAssists Per Game
\n18.8 (8th)
\n25.9 (1st)
\n
\n
\nSteals Per Game
\n8.5 (5th)
\n9.1 (2nd)
\n
\n
\nBlocks Per Game
\n1.7 (11th)
\n4.0 (3rd)
\n
\n
\nTurnover Margin
\n+1.0 (4th)
\n-0.6 (6th)
\n
\n
\nAssist\/Turnover Ratio
\n1.51 (9th)
\n1.82 (4th)
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Last Word<\/p>\n
The Nuggets are trying to hold their place in the Final 6 and have already shown they can push Wellington deep into the fourth quarter. A victory on their home court would give them a realistic chance in the chase for the top 4, but they need clarity on Rusbatch\u2019s status, strong shot-making from Tuach, and another composed performance from Louis to manage the Saints\u2019 pressure.<\/p>\n
The Saints are chasing a top-two spot and have the league\u2019s best offence, but they need a victory to keep control of their top 4 destiny while doing it without Davison and Le\u2019afa changes the shape of their attack. Pepper can carry an offence, almost by himself, but Wellington will need Harris, Ingram, Aliir, Iuli and Hunt to lift the energy on both ends while carry more of the creation load.<\/p>\n
Otago need this to become a defensive grind, with turnovers, rebounding and three-point defence keeping the score manageable. Wellington will want tempo, ball movement and Pepper in space.<\/p>\n
If the Nuggets can slow Pepper and win the possession battle, they can make this a genuine home-court opportunity. If the Saints keep their offence humming despite the missing guards, they have enough firepower to take another important road win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Posted on Saturday, July 4th, 2026 Game Preview: Nuggets vs Saints The Night \u2019n Day Otago Nuggets return…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":777676,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[64,63,726,85],"class_list":["post-777675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=777675"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/777675\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=777675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=777675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=777675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nuggets-v-Saints.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/p>\n