Otago Nuggets vs Manawatu Jets 8/6/13

Nugget's player BJ Anthony goes for the jumper.

Basketball is one of those sports that can get a whole crowd involved, adrenaline pumping, amped and on the edge of your seat. Tonight's Nuggets game was no different. The last time I watched an NBL game live I was probably 8 and I went to see the Nelson Giants play with my primary school miniball team (that was an epic team might I add, we stuck together until 3rd form at Waimea College), so getting the chance to head to the Edgar Centre here in Dunedin was an opportunity not to pass up. For any students out there it's just $8.00 when you produce your student ID.
The Nuggets went into the game in the top spot in the competition and I expected them to walk all over the opposition, and for three quarters of the game that's just what happened - up by over 10 points or more for that time, and to be honest I found the Nugget's Dancers more entertaining than the game. BUT... in sport you must never assume the game has been won until that fat lady (aka the final whistle) has sung.
Whatever the coach said to the Jets at 3/4 time sure spurred them back to life - especially the fastest man in the league, Chris Hagan who drove the ball to the basket with speed to reduce the deficit - and with just a handful of minutes left on the clock the Jets took the lead by four points. So now it was Mark Dickel's (Otago Captain) turn to show us how it is done. As is the norm in basketball these days, when the game is nearing the end and the score is close, teams result to fowl after fowl to slow the game down and test their opponent's free throw skills, so Otago drew fowls from the Jets and evened the score, and with Dickel shooting one last layup, it made it 95-93 at full time.
Thanks to every single person inside that stadium tonight - the atmosphere was pumping, it was a hot night in Dunedin, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - I even started clapping, stomping my feet and joining in on the chanting. Here's to more sports that can draw the entire crowd into the game, and more experiences watching for me x