The Appliance Shed Harbour Heat may have lost the battle against the Waikato Pistons in tonight’s NZ Community Trust Basketball League game but they showed they might just be up for the play off war.

The Heat lost their final regular season home fixture 69 – 75 in a game that was high on defensive intensity as both teams prepare for the play offs. For the Heat the loss means they will be on the road in the first round of the post season, almost certainly away to the 4^th ranked team on Wednesday June 17.

For the Pistons this was a win they will relish, knowing that the Heat played with plenty of fire and commitment, something that can only help Waikato side’s quest to earn top ranking in the regular season.

It was close throughout in a low scoring encounter and level 37 each at the half time break. The Heat were getting more than their share of looks but a conversion rate of just 37% they couldn’t kick clear of Dean Vickerman’s side.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, Heat wasting too many looks in the face of some heavy defensive pressure while the Pistons made the buckets that mattered at the other end.

For the home side Mike Bell showed his class with a double double of 20 points and 11 boards, both of which were game high stats. The 6’10” centre added 3 blocked shots to his tally for good measure.

Corey Webster was kept quiet by the Pistons defence, finding his range from outside on just 1 of 9 occasions for 9 points. Mychal Green produced his usual high energy performance for 16 points and 8 boards.

Breakers swingman Thomas Abercrombie led the scoring for the visitors with 19 and also found time for 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots in a busy night. He had good support from Justin Bailey, whose 18 included back to back three pointers midway through the final quarter that finally killed of a gallant home side.

The battle between the old stager Pero Cameron and the young pretender BJ Anthony was worth the admission. Anthony resisted rising to the wily veteran’s baiting on several occasions to keep his head while Cameron played just 16 minutes after finding himself in foul trouble, the last of which was an intentional elbow to the throat of Anthony as both were on the ground tussling for the loose ball. Anthony’s 15 points, 4 boards, 3 blocked shots and 3 steals might have won the personal duel, but the scoreless Cameron will head down state highway one happy with the competition points.

The Heat now face a tough double header on the road against the Giants and Saints to end their regular season, assured though of play off basketball. It is now just a case of wait and see who they will play first up.

Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 69

Mike Bell 20, Mychal Green 16, BJ Anthony 15

Waikato Pistons 75

Tom Abercrombie 19, Justin Bailey 18, Adam Ballinger 14

For full details and box score, visit www.basketball.org.nz