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From the Vault: NBL Classic Matches | #2

Looking for some basketball to watch?

With the Sal’s NBL Men’s and Women’s competitions, along with Women’s D-League, currently looking at Modified Competitions for 2020,  we’ve gone through the archives to bring you some classic NBL games from yesteryear to watch!

If you have any games you’d like to see, or have access to recorded games you can share, please let us know by contacting us here.

Enjoy!


NBL Classic Match #2: 2019 WBC Grand Final | Harbour Breeze vs. Auckland Dream

We don’t have to rewind the years very far for our next classic match. The 2019 WBC Championship Final was just that, an absolute classic.

Inspired by an outstanding performance from Tall Ferns guard Natalie Taylor, the Auckland Dream came from 15 points down early in the final quarter to win the WBC Championship for the first time, defeating Harbour Breeze 89-86.

The game was full of ebbs and flows and outstanding individual performances but it was Taylor (25 points) who produced the match winning performance. The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to drag her team back into the contest and then added a further 5 points in overtime to cap a remarkable comeback from the Dream.

Ahead 63-48 early in the fourth quarter Harbour Breeze looked destined to win the championship they last held back in 2014. However, a 12-1 run meant Harbour’s lead was down to three points with under 5 minutes to play.

Up stepped Taylor to score seven of her team’s next nine points to tie proceedings at 74 points apiece inside the final minute.
Yet again the Breeze took the lead when Penina Davidson scored inside but Taylor, with ice in her veins, calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to force overtime.

In overtime the Dream take an early advantage before the Breeze clawed their way back into the contest, reducing the Dream advantage to 87-86 with less than thirty seconds to play.

Experienced point guard Jordan Hunter calmly knocked down a pair of freebies after being fouled and when Harbour’s game levelling three-point attempt rimmed out the Dream celebrations could begin!


AUCKLAND DREAM (89)
defeated Harbour Breeze 86

Tier 1 All-Star Five: 

  • Penina Davidson (Harbour Breeze)
  • Natalie Taylor (Auckland Dream)
  • Krystal Leger-Walker (Waikato Wizards)
  • Kalani Purcell (Auckland Dream)
  • Marita Davydova (Canterbury Wildcats)
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