They're called "banana skin" games. The ones in which a team can be merrily making their way, when they slip up and land on their baggy-shorted behinds.

The Fico Finance Nelson Giants almost stepped on the banana skin that was the Taranaki Mountain Airs on Saturday, only an inspirational defensive play from American forward Rod Grizzard earning them an 87-83 win in the Bartercard national basketball league.

With the score favouring the home team by two points, Taranaki guard Jack Leasure had the chance to set up a play for a tie or a win but Grizzard met him at halfcourt and forced a turnover, the ball bouncing off Grizzard's legs as he hedged out on defence.

The lanky Giant set off towards the basket and an inevitable game-punctuating dunk, but was impeded by Leasure, a controversial unsportsmanlike foul call giving Grizzard two free-throws – he made both – and awarding Nelson possession at halfway.

At four points down with 1.5sec remaining, Taranaki didn't defend the inbounds pass, Nelson's Phill Jones lobbing the ball in the air to close out the game.

But the drama didn't end at the final whistle. Not by a long shot.

Leasure initially refused to shake hands, forward Mada Abdelamid stripped off his playing top to reveal a body bulging with the benefits of Taranaki dairy products and centre Marcus Campbell became a raging bull, berating the officials before twice hurling a chair around the court to a chorus of boos.

Mountain Airs coaches and officials quickly took control, manager Adrienne Kensington peeling strips off Campbell, while coach Dave Bublitz led a calmer core of players to the Nelson bench, where he handed back the Brian Rampton Memorial Trophy.

Campbell's display of petulance shocked all in the Trafalgar Centre but Nelson centre Darryl Dora. A graduate of Texas Tech University, he'd seen coach Bobby Knight take out his frustrations on the furniture during his four seasons there.

"He's [Campbell] kind of a maniac. He does some good things for them because he's a big man in there but you still have to play the game and not get taken away by the moment," Dora, Nelson's leading scorer with 26 points, said.

"I'm used to being heavier than most guys and being able to get to my spots but he's a whole lot bigger than me. He gives them a target on offence but maybe I was able to use a bit more footwork and quickness against him."

From that point, the game could have gone either way. Dora gave Nelson a lead with the first score of the fourth quarter, but Campbell and Leasure wrenched it back. Mika Vukona dunked for Nelson, then 37-year-old Link Abrams went to work, carrying the Taranaki team on his brawny shoulders.

The response came from the Giants' own Father Time(less), Jones. After a couple of quiet scoring games and a slow start on Saturday, Jones scored nine of his 22 points in the final quarter, shooting from range, driving, even working over a defender in the post.

It all built to the final 32sec, Nelson failing to score on their last possession but Grizzard saving the day with his steal and free throws off the frazzled Taranaki team.

While Dora was the scorer, Grizzard's week-by-week command of the game is a sight to behold. He scored 19 points on 6 of 7 shooting, adding 14 rebounds, six assists and busy defence. If there's a complaint, it's that he took just the seven shots. A step-back jumpshot over the defence in the fourth quarter would suggest he is a tough cover for any defender in the NBL and should be used more often.

"Grizz carried a load for us tonight", Dora said, "especially rebounding. I know I need to help out more there, I didn't think I boarded hard enough.

"Saying that, I had my hands full with Campbell. He goes seven foot, maybe 350 [pounds, 160kg] and I had to work to keep him out of the game. He's an angry young man."

The Giants' shooting cooled somewhat from recent efforts and they were unable to drag Taranaki out of their zone defence, with 13 turnovers also stalling their momentum.

"It wasn't our prettiest game but we are at .500 now [five wins, five losses] and working hard to make moves in that top six," Dora said.

"From an 0-3 start, that's something to be grateful for. Now we have to carry some momentum on the road with us."

- The Nelson Mail