Waikato have started well in the defence of their National basketball League title, beating the Nelson Giants 81-69 in game one of the final in nelson.
The Giants hopes for for the rest of the final series were also dealt a massive blow with big man Tony Rampton now suspended for game two after being ejected late in the fourth quarter.
With the Pistons basically dominating the game from start to finish the major talking point of the game came in the fourth quarter when Mike Homik and Tony Rampton tangled off the ball ending with both players wrestling on the ground. Both players were ejected from the game which carries an automatic one game suspension that will see both players miss the second game of the finals on tomorrow night in Te Awamutu.
Michael Fitchett had a strong game for the Pistons shooting 7/10 from the three point line in his 21 points. Adam Ballinger was effective from inside and out in collecting a game high 22 points.
For the Giants Phil Jones top scored with 21.
