Giants big favourites at home against Slammers

Goldfields Giants will be heavily favoured against a visiting South West Slammers for Saturday night’s second leg of a two-game home stand to open the men’s NBL1 West campaign.

After one round, 12 ladder positions separate the teams — following the Giants’ 40-point demolition of Cockburn last weekend.

In contrast, the Slammers were trounced by the Eastern Suns, 81-61, in a clash of teams who last year combined for a 13-31 win-loss record.

Giants coach Lennon Smartt, meanwhile, has earmarked next month for Jerome Reid’s return from injury.

“Jerome is making great progress (and) aiming for mid to late-May for his first game back,” Smartt said.

“He tore ligaments and slightly fractured his foot after landing on a rogue ankle during a (domestic) division one game in February.”

Goldfields have an Easter long weekend bye, before tackling their first road trip on April 26-27 with matches against Lakeside and Perth.

Goldfields’ women’s team faces a big task in pursuit of their first win on Saturday after South West last weekend broke a three-year losing streak.

The Slammers’ 84-66 victory against the Suns was their first since May 21, 2022 that broke a run of 52 consecutive losses.

The Giants are 12th, following last weekend’s first-up loss.

Giants’ game times:

D-League women:

3.30pm.

D-League men:

Bye.

NBL1 women:

6pm.

NBL1 men:

8pm.