The Fico Finance Nelson Giants got its NBL season off to the perfect start with an 82-67 win over the Manawatu Jets on Saturday night.
Former Jet Josh Pace led the scoring for the Nelson Giants with 25 points on his return back to the franchise he first played for in 2006.
American import Erron Maxey contributed 16 points from the floor while young guard Brook Ruscoe was the next best with 15 points.
New coach Liam Flynn was not afraid to use his bench in the victory with a total of nine players seeing game time, including New Zealand Breakers development player Josh Bloxham. The Giants led by 23 points at half time.
The side will now play four away games, against the Waikato Pistons, Taranaki Mountainairs, Southland Sharks and Otago Nuggets before returning to the Trafalgar Centre on May 11 to face the Wellington Saints.
