The Auckland Tuatara have booked a spot in the Sal’s NBL Grand Final for the second year running after beating the Franklin Bulls 92-67 in the semi-finals at Trusts Arena on Friday night.
The Tuatara were slow out of the blocks in the opening quarter but got into their work in the second half the quarter and took control of the match.
Their defense was stingy and disrupted what the Bulls could throw at them.
Guard Jarrad Weeks led all scorers with 28 points, including six from beyond the arc. Reuben Te Rangi piled 23 points and six boards while Joe Lawson III had 15 off the bench.
The Tuatara amassed 15 steals on the night, which thwarted the Bulls.
After a day off on Saturday, the Tuatara will return to Trusts Arena for their second successive Grand Final on Sunday night when they will meet either the Otago Nuggets or Canterbury Rams.