The Nelson Giants have survived a late scare to defeat the Otago Nuggets 83-79 in their National Basketball League match in Dunedin.
The Giants had a 14-point lead with under four minutes to go in the game, but three straight three pointers from the Nuggets, followed by a Warren Carter two-pointer, closed the gap to within three with less than a minute and a half to go.
It is the second straight defeat at home for the Nuggets, as they drop to four wins and three losses, while the Giants go to seven wins and two losses.
Hawke's Bay got their eighth win, also on the road, beating the Canterbury Rams 76-59 in Christchurch.
The Hawks go to the top of the ladder outright, while the 59 scored was a season low for the Rams who slump to one win and seven losses.
