Brendon Egan11:29, Jul 14 2021
Marty Melville/Photosport
Devondrick Walker and the Hawke’s Bay Hawks have found form at the right stage of the season.
OPINION: It’s the final round of the NBL season and the top four is confirmed. The exact finishing order and semifinal match-ups are still to be determined though, setting up an interesting final weekend. BRENDON EGAN looks at the key talking points for round 12.
Finals permutations
The hometown Wellington Saints have top spot locked up for the Final Four in Porirua, which will be contested next Thursday and Friday. Southland and Hawke's Bay, who both have a 12-5 record, are likely to meet in one semifinal (two versus three), but it's not quite guaranteed. The fourth placed Auckland Huskies could still potentially jump up, but it would require several scenarios playing out. Auckland must beat the Saints on Saturday and hope both the Hawks and Sharks lose, forcing a three-way tie.