Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams (4-2, 2nd) v The Property Brokers Manawatū Jets (3-3, 7th)
The Rams come home for their second game of the round after having their 4 game winning streak snapped knowing that the cauldron of Cowles Stadium will be waiting to help them bounce back. The Jets hitting the road again after playing their only game this season at home and looking to find the winners column to keep pace with the top six.
When: Friday 11th April, Rapid League 6:30 Sal's NBL 7:30pm
Where: Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
Watch: Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 5 | USA: ESPN3 | International: FIBA YouTube | Livestream: @skysportnz TikTok
Box score here
Last Time Out:
The Rams played two nights ago, taking part in a physical affair against the Franklin Bulls who jumped in front by 14 early behind hot shooting from the just returned Ethan Rusbatch (19pts, 3ast, 2stl) and Flynn Cameron (18pts, 4rbs, 2ast, 2stl) off the bench (18pts, 4rbs, 2ast, 2stl). The Rams would fight back behind Tohi Smith-Milner (23pts, 6rbs) and Taylor Britt (19pts, 2rbs, 4ast) to build a 6 point lead. In the fourth quarter Tae Hardy (30pts, 4rbs, 6ast), along with Flynn and Tobias Cameron (19pts, 9rbs, 4ast), surged back as the Bulls forced turnovers and pushed the pace as the scored 40 fourth quarter points to claim a 103-94 victory.
The Jets hosted the Saints as they touched homecourt for the first time this season and were able to jump out in front early behind strong three point shooting and the aggressive play of Miles Gibson (21pts, 8rbs) and Eric Williams Jr (16pts, 6rbs, 5ast, 4stls). The Jets able to control pace and keep the lead for the majority of the first half before a late flurry gave the Saints a 3-point halftime lead. That momentum swing carried over to the second and combined with the superlative effort of Hyrum Harris (17pts, 17rbs, 9ast) to see Wellington grab a 14-point third quarter lead. But the Jets would battle back as Corey Webster (22pts, 6rbs, 6ast) heated up on offense and Dontae Russo-Nance (17pts, 4stls) on D as his steal and score would cut the lead to 1 with 6 seconds left. but following a foul and 2 missed Nick Marshall free throws the clock would be exhausted and the Jets would lose the game 92-93.
What to Look for
The Rams are deep and play physical defense up the court from the second the ball is inbounded. Taylor Britt has been efficient and aggressive in leading a Rams offense that has proven to be as dangerous as any in the league. They take 40% of their shots from deep and 42% of their shots at the rim, feasting on efficient looks that have only dipped under 50% efg in their two losses. CJ Penha's (18ppg, 10rpg, 29%3pfg) inclusion has given the front line another weapon (joining Smith-Milner (14.2ppg, 7.3rpg, 33%3pfg), Kyle Bowen (12.7ppg, 7rpg, 20%3pfg) and Max Darling (11ppg, 4.7rpg, 42%3pfg) that can stretch the floor with the 3 ball or bruise with physicality down low. Walter Brown looks to be finding his groove after an injury disrupted start and the Isaac brothers (Kaia & Tama) have the ability to explode offensively while playing stout defense.
The Jets may rely on their starting lineup more than any other team in the competition, with the 5 starters averaging over 77 minutes per game, but just 2 other players averaging more than 10 minutes a game. Webster and Russo-Nance (20.7ppg, 4.2apg, 4.8rpg, 3stls) work the pick-and-roll in the halfcourt while Gibson (24.7ppg, 9.3rpg) and Williams Jr (13.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.6stls) find space on the weak side or through cutting. Kenny Goins (10.8ppg, 7rpg) will have to carry the bulk of the load on the interior but look for Issac Miller-Jose to grab more minutes now that he's become more settled in the lineup. The Jets don't beat themselves but will need to withstand their toughest defensive test yet to come out with a road victory.
Small Sample Size Stats:
The Rams are scoring the 5th points scored (93.33ppg) but first in offensive rating (119) and came into the round with a 55% effective field goal rate (3rd in league), 58% assist rate (5th), a 41% three point rate (5th), a league best 31% offensive rebound rate but just a 23% free throw rate (11th). They are giving up the 3rd least points (83.67ppg) while holding opponents up a 49% effective field goal percentage (9th) and a 15% turnover rate (3rd).
The Jets are first in scoring (99.83ppg) but second in offensive rating (117) with a 52% effective field goal rate (7th), the second worst assist rate (53%) and the best turnover rate in the league (9%) but have the 4th worst free throw rate (25%) and third lowest three point rate (38%). They give up the 7th most points in the league (91.67ppg) while boasting the 4th best steal rate (11%) and second best block rate (10%) while rebounding on the defense at the 6th best rate (74%drb) and hitting the offensive glass at the fifth best rate (27%).
Matchup to Watch: Taylor Britt (19.5ppg, 5.8apg) v Corey Webster (26.4ppg, 7apg, 5.6rpg, 2stls) - The former championship winning backcourt (and title game opponents from last season) will be key to the results. Taylor Britt is playing some of the best two-way basketball in the league but his defensive nous will be tested against the leagues third leading scorer. The Jets are an offensive behemoth when Webster gets loose but so the Rams will do all they can to keep that from happening.
all advanced stats courtesy of spatialjam.com
